Effective performance reviews help recognize employees’ strengths and areas for improvement to help them progress within their role. Evaluating integrity is vital due to its impact on the work environment, decision-making, and overall productivity. When evaluating someone on their integrity, consider their honesty, ethics, trustworthiness, professionalism, and accountability. Below are examples of performance review phrases and paragraphs for various integrity ratings.

Performance Review Questions: Integrity

Based on the answers to these questions, you can assign a rating to an employee for integrity. For example, if the employee consistently demonstrated honesty and transparency, followed ethical principles and company policies, and maintained confidentiality, they would likely receive a high rating. Or, if the employee exhibited a lack of honesty or transparency, failed to follow ethical principles or company policies, and did not respect the privacy of others, they would likely receive a lower rating.

1. Did the employee consistently demonstrate honesty and transparency in their work?
2. Did the employee follow ethical principles and company policies, even in difficult situations?
3. Did the employee maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of colleagues, customers, and the company?
4. Did the employee take responsibility for their actions and admit mistakes when they occurred?
5. Did the employee demonstrate a commitment to fairness and treating others with respect?

Related: Best Performance Review Examples for 48 Key Skills

2000+ Performance Review Phrases: The Complete List (Performance Feedback Examples)

Performance Review Phrases and Paragraphs Examples for Integrity

5 – Outstanding

Example Phrases

• Consistently demonstrates integrity in all aspects of their work.
• Consistently leads by example in upholding company values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to honesty and transparency in all aspects of work.
• Trustworthy with sensitive information and always keeps confidences.
• Takes full responsibility for actions and holds others accountable for their actions.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical principles and trustworthiness.
• Always acts with transparency, honesty, and respect.
• Exhibits a strong moral compass and fosters an ethical workplace culture.
• Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Proactively addresses potential ethical issues and takes appropriate action to maintain integrity.
• Consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that decisions and actions align with the highest ethical standards.
• Demonstrates exceptional courage in speaking up against unethical behavior, even in challenging situations.
• Actively promotes a culture of integrity and encourages others to adhere to ethical principles.
• Consistently treats all individuals with respect, fairness, and honesty, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Serves as a role model for integrity, inspiring others to maintain high ethical standards in their work.
• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty and transparency in all communications and interactions.
• Proactively seeks out opportunities to further educate themselves and others on ethical best practices.
• Consistently maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information, building trust with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates exceptional integrity in decision-making, always considering the ethical implications and potential consequences.

Example Paragraph 1

“Jane has consistently demonstrated an outstanding level of integrity throughout her work. She always takes the time to think through her decisions, making sure they align with the company’s ethical standards and values. As a result, Jane has built a reputation for being trustworthy and reliable, consistently putting the needs of the team and the company first.”

Example Paragraph 2

“John has been an unwavering advocate for ethical principles in our organization. He consistently acts with honesty and transparency in every decision he makes and every interaction he has with colleagues. His strong moral compass has positively impacted our team culture, encouraging others to prioritize integrity in their own work. The level of respect and trust that John has earned through his commitment to integrity is truly outstanding.”

Example Paragraph 3

“Samantha handles sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professionalism. She has consistently proven her trustworthiness not only in her ability to keep information secure but also in her ability to communicate effectively with colleagues about these matters without compromising confidentiality. Her high level of integrity sets an excellent example for others in the company to follow.”

Example Paragraph 4

“Emily consistently upholds the company’s values and ethical standards and serves as an example for the entire team. She is committed to honesty and transparency in all aspects of her work, earning her peers’ trust and respect. Emily takes responsibility for her own actions and holds colleagues accountable for theirs, ensuring a high-performing and ethical work environment.”

4 – Exceeds Expectations

Example Phrases

• Consistently demonstrates honesty and trustworthiness in all interactions.
• Exhibits high levels of honesty and professionalism in their actions.
• Identifies and promptly addresses ethical concerns and issues.
• Demonstrates trustworthiness in handling sensitive information.
• Acts with integrity even in challenging situations.
• Maintains high ethical standards that exceed the requirements of their role.
• Quickly earns trust and respect from coworkers and clients due to their strong moral compass.
• Exhibits transparency and forthrightness in communication and decision-making.
• Takes initiative to promote and uphold ethical practices within the team and organization.
• Consistently aligns decisions and actions with ethical principles, even in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrates the courage to speak up against unethical behavior and takes appropriate action to address it.
• Actively contributes to fostering a culture of integrity and encourages others to adhere to ethical standards.
• Consistently treats all individuals with respect, fairness, and honesty, promoting a positive work environment.
• Serves as a positive example of integrity, influencing others to maintain high ethical standards in their work.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to honesty and transparency in all communications and interactions.
• Seeks out opportunities to expand their knowledge of ethical best practices and applies this knowledge to their work.
• Consistently maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information, building trust with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates integrity in decision-making, carefully considering the ethical implications and potential consequences.

Example Paragraph 1

“Jane is a prime example of someone who exceeds expectations in terms of integrity. She consistently demonstrates honesty and openness with her coworkers and clients. Her strong ethical principles are evident in all her actions, and she does not shy away from tough decisions, even if they may not be the most popular or easy choice. Jane’s commitment to transparency and straightforward communication has earned her the respect and trust of her colleagues and clients.”

Example Paragraph 2

“In addition to maintaining high ethical standards in his work, John goes above and beyond to help others embrace integrity. He willingly shares his knowledge and experiences with his team, inspiring them to adopt similar values and ethical practices. Through his integrity-focused approach, John has positively influenced the work environment and created a culture of trust and openness that sets an excellent example for others to follow.”

Example Paragraph 3

“Sarah is an exceptional employee who not only meets but exceeds the expectations for integrity in her daily work. She consistently demonstrates her commitment to doing the right thing, even when faced with complex or conflicting situations. Sarah has a strong moral compass that drives her decision-making, enabling her to consistently make responsible and ethical choices. Her coworkers hold her in high regard for her unwavering dedication to honesty, trustworthiness, and transparency.”

Example Paragraph 4

“David consistently exhibits a high level of honesty and professionalism in his work. He skillfully identifies and addresses ethical concerns, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining a positive work environment for all team members. David’s trustworthiness and ability to act with integrity in challenging situations are qualities that contribute to his success in his role.”

3 – Meets Expectations (Acceptable)

Example Phrases

• Generally demonstrates honesty and professionalism in their work.
• Displays a willingness to address ethical concerns when they arise.
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and appropriate handling of sensitive information.
• Often accountable for their actions and decisions.
• Takes responsibility for personal mistakes and learns from them.
• Ensures the accuracy of information before sharing with others.
• Respects the intellectual property and confidential information of others.
• Upholds ethical standards and adheres to company policies.
• Generally aligns decisions and actions with ethical principles, seeking guidance when needed in complex situations.
• Speaks up against unethical behavior when observed, though may sometimes hesitate or require encouragement.
• Contributes to maintaining a culture of integrity within the team, following the lead of others in adhering to ethical standards.
• Generally treats all individuals with respect, fairness, and honesty, supporting a positive work environment.
• Serves as a reliable example of integrity, usually maintaining high ethical standards in their work.
• Demonstrates honesty and transparency in most communications and interactions, with occasional lapses.
• Participates in opportunities to learn about ethical best practices when offered and attempts to apply this knowledge to their work.
• Generally maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information, with occasional reminders or guidance needed.
• Demonstrates integrity in decision-making, considering ethical implications and consequences in most situations.

Example Paragraph

“Sarah typically shows honesty and professionalism in her work. While she may not always be proactive in addressing ethical concerns, she is willing to engage in conversations about these issues when they come up. Sarah understands the significance of confidentiality and handles sensitive information properly. She is frequently accountable for her actions, helping maintain a productive work environment.”

2 – Needs Improvement

Example Phrases

• Occasionally displays a lack of honesty or professionalism in their work.
• May struggle to address ethical concerns or recognize their importance.
• Needs improvement in handling confidential information and maintaining trust.
• Inconsistent in taking responsibility for their actions and decisions.
• Sometimes fails to take responsibility for personal mistakes or learn from them.
• Occasionally shares information without verifying its accuracy, leading to misunderstandings or confusion.
• Inconsistently respects the intellectual property and confidential information of others.
• Occasionally deviates from ethical standards or company policies, requiring guidance and correction.
• Inconsistently aligns decisions and actions with ethical principles, often requiring guidance in complex situations.
• Hesitates to speak up against unethical behavior when observed, often failing to take appropriate action.
• Inconsistently contributes to maintaining a culture of integrity within the team, sometimes engaging in or tolerating questionable behavior.
• Occasionally treats individuals with disrespect or unfairness, negatively impacting the work environment.
• Serves as an inconsistent example of integrity, sometimes demonstrating lapses in ethical behavior.
• Demonstrates a lack of honesty and transparency in some communications and interactions, eroding trust.
• Rarely participates in opportunities to learn about ethical best practices and struggles to apply this knowledge to their work.
• Inconsistently maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information, requiring frequent reminders or guidance.
• Demonstrates a lack of consideration for ethical implications and consequences in decision-making, often requiring intervention.

Example Paragraph

“Michael occasionally exhibits a lack of honesty or professionalism in his actions, creating concerns for the team. In addition, he may struggle when faced with ethical issues, having difficulty understanding their full implications. Michael’s handling of confidential information requires improvement to maintain trust with colleagues and customers. His inconsistency in taking responsibility for his actions can have a negative impact on the work environment.”

1 – Unacceptable

Example Phrases

• Demonstrates a pattern of dishonesty or unprofessional behavior.
• Fails to recognize or address ethical issues.
• Regularly mishandles confidential information, eroding trust with colleagues and customers.
• Lacks accountability for their actions and decisions.
• Consistently fails to take responsibility for personal mistakes and shows no effort to learn from them.
• Frequently shares inaccurate or misleading information, causing significant problems and damaging relationships.
• Consistently disregards the intellectual property and confidential information of others, violating trust and legal obligations.
• Consistently violates ethical standards and company policies, showing a blatant disregard for integrity.
• Consistently makes decisions and takes actions that violate ethical principles, showing no regard for consequences or willingness to correct behavior.
• Consistently fails to speak up against unethical behavior when observed, actively enabling or participating in misconduct.
• Actively undermines efforts to maintain a culture of integrity within the team, consistently engaging in or encouraging unethical behavior.
• Consistently treats individuals with disrespect and unfairness, creating a hostile and toxic work environment.
• Serves as a negative example of integrity, actively damaging the reputation and morale of the team.
• Consistently demonstrates dishonesty and a lack of transparency in communications and interactions, destroying trust and credibility.
• Refuses to participate in opportunities to learn about ethical best practices and actively resists efforts to improve their ethical behavior.
• Consistently violates confidentiality and fails to protect sensitive information, causing significant harm to the organization and its stakeholders.
• Consistently disregards ethical implications and consequences in decision-making, making choices that put the organization at risk.

Example Paragraph

“John consistently demonstrates a concerning pattern of dishonesty and unprofessional behavior, ultimately negatively impacting the team. He fails to recognize or address ethical issues, displaying a lack of understanding or concern for their consequences. John’s regular mishandling of sensitive information has led to an erosion of trust with colleagues and customers. His refusal to take responsibility for his actions undermines the productivity and cohesion of the work environment.”