Performance is far above the defined job expectations. The employee consistently does outstanding work, regularly going far beyond what is expected of employees in this job. Performance that exceeds expectations is due to the effort and skills of the employee. Any performance not consistently exceeding expectations is minor or due to events not under the control of the employee.
Performance meets the defined job expectations and in many instances, exceeds job expectations.
The employee generally is doing a very good job. Performance that exceeds expectations is due to the effort and skills of the employee. The employee generally performs according to the expectations doing a good job. The employee is doing the job at the level expected for employees in this position. The good performance is due to the employee's own effort and skills.