One to One (121) review meeting script template

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UK-specific Editable Instant download 12 months' updates

A practical one-to-one review meeting script to help managers structure regular conversations with employees, covering wellbeing, workload, performance, priorities, development, support and any issues the employee wants to raise.

Use this template to:

  • Provide a simple structure for regular one-to-one meetings
  • Review progress and actions from the previous meeting
  • Discuss workload, priorities, performance and any current challenges
  • Give employees an opportunity to raise concerns, feedback or support needs
  • Discuss development, training and future priorities
  • Finish each meeting with clear actions and agreed follow-up
One to One (121) review meeting script template
2026 Reviewed

What's included in this template?

This template brings together the key information, sections and considerations you need to create a clear, comprehensive and professional HR document. Preview the document below.

  • Opening and meeting purpose
  • Previous actions and progress
  • Wellbeing and workload check
  • Performance and priorities
  • Development and support
  • Employee feedback and concerns
  • Actions and follow-up

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1   Opening

1.1   "Thanks for making the time for our one-to-one. The purpose is to check how things are going, review anything outstanding, talk about priorities and support, and give you an opportunity to raise anything you want to discuss."

1.2   "Before we start, is there anything particularly important that you would like to make sure we cover today?"

2   Previous actions and progress

2.1   "Let's quickly go through the actions we agreed last time. How are things progressing?"

2.2   "Is there anything that has not been completed, or anything you need from me to move it forward?"

3   How are things going?

3.1   "How are things generally going for you at the moment?"

3.2   "Is there anything affecting your ability to do your job effectively?"

3.3   "How are you finding your current workload and priorities?"

"Is there anything we should change, stop or

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£9.99
Specifications
Access 12 months, with updates
Length 2 pages • 336 words
Jurisdiction England, Wales, Scotland
Based on UK law, ACAS guidance
Last review 08/09/2026
Next review 08/03/2027
Delivery Instant digital delivery
Formats .doc · .txt · email

What is an one to one (121) review meeting script?

One to One (121) review meeting script template preview

This script gives managers a simple structure for regular one-to-one review meetings without turning them into lengthy or overly formal performance reviews. It provides prompts to help managers have a useful two-way conversation and finish with clear actions.

Keeping the conversation focused

The script guides the manager through the key areas that should normally be discussed, while leaving enough flexibility to follow issues raised by the employee.

Checking wellbeing and workload

Managers can discuss how the employee is doing, current workload, priorities and any obstacles affecting their work. This provides an opportunity to identify problems early.

Performance and development

The conversation can be used to review progress, recognise achievements, discuss challenges and identify training, development or other support that would help the employee.

Ending with clear actions

The meeting finishes by confirming what has been agreed, who is responsible and when actions will be reviewed. This helps ensure that one-to-ones lead to action rather than becoming routine conversations with no follow-up.

Example

A manager holds monthly one-to-ones with each member of their team. Rather than using the meeting simply to ask whether everything is okay, they use the script to review the previous actions, workload, priorities, performance and any support the employee needs.

During one meeting, an employee explains that a new responsibility is taking considerably longer than expected and is affecting their ability to complete another priority. The manager discusses the issue, agrees to review the allocation of work and identifies some additional training that could help.

The employee also raises a positive development opportunity they would like to pursue. The manager agrees to explore this and records both actions for review at the next one-to-one.

The structured approach keeps the meeting to around 20 minutes while ensuring that important issues are identified and followed through.

Implementation guidance

Use these best practice actions, recommended timescales and process stages to understand when and how the One to One (121) review meeting script should be used, helping ensure each step is handled consistently and appropriately documented.

Step Description Responsibility Timing
1 Arrange regular one-to-one meetings and allow the employee reasonable opportunity to prepare. Manager Regularly
2 Review previous actions and prepare any relevant topics or questions. Manager / Employee Before meeting
3 Use the script to discuss wellbeing, workload, performance, priorities and development. Manager / Employee At meeting
4 Agree practical actions, support and any follow-up required. Manager / Employee At meeting
5 Record key actions and revisit them at the next one-to-one. Manager After / next meeting
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Common mistakes

Understand the common mistakes to avoid when using this HR template, helping you reduce risk, prevent unnecessary costs and ensure the process is handled correctly.

  • Turning every one-to-one into a formal performance review.
  • Doing all the talking instead of encouraging a two-way conversation.
  • Skipping wellbeing and workload discussions because everything appears to be going well.
  • Allowing meetings to become a list of operational tasks rather than a people-focused conversation.
  • Failing to follow up agreed actions.
  • Holding one-to-ones inconsistently or cancelling them routinely.
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To continue reading, purchase this item or a parent toolkit, library or our full library.

HR considerations

UK employment law and best practice

This template is designed to support the process, but the document should be used alongside the relevant HR procedure and applied to the circumstances of the individual case.

One-to-one meetings

There is no general statutory requirement to hold one-to-one meetings, but regular conversations are good management practice. Acas recommends regular discussions and feedback as part of effective performance management. See https://www.acas.org.uk/performance-management

Performance concerns

One-to-ones provide an opportunity to identify performance issues early, but significant concerns should be addressed clearly and through an appropriate process rather than being allowed to accumulate informally. See https://www.acas.org.uk/performance-management/problems-with-an-employees-performance

Equality and reasonable adjustments

Managers should consider whether disability or another relevant circumstance affects an employee's ability to participate in meetings or meet normal expectations. Reasonable adjustments may be required where applicable. See https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers and https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/20

Wellbeing and personal information

Managers should avoid asking for unnecessary medical or personal information. Where personal or health information is discussed, it should be handled appropriately and confidentially. See https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/employment/information-about-workers-health-information/

Record keeping

Employers may keep a concise record of agreed actions and relevant discussions. Records should be accurate, proportionate, secure and retained in accordance with the organisation's data protection and retention arrangements. See https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/employment/

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FAQs

How often should one-to-one meetings be held?

There is no single correct frequency. Monthly meetings are a practical approach for many teams, although the frequency should reflect the employee's role, circumstances and business needs.

How long should a one-to-one meeting take?

Regular one-to-ones do not need to be lengthy. Around 20 to 30 minutes may be sufficient for many employees, provided there is enough time to discuss important issues and agreed actions.

Should one-to-ones be used for performance management?

They are an important part of ongoing performance management and provide regular opportunities for feedback and support. However, formal capability or disciplinary matters should be handled through the appropriate formal process.

Should the manager keep notes?

It is useful to record key actions and commitments, but detailed notes of every conversation are generally unnecessary. Records should be proportionate and handled confidentially.

What if an employee raises a serious concern?

The manager should listen carefully, establish what action may be needed and escalate the matter where appropriate. Serious concerns such as grievances, safeguarding issues or allegations of misconduct may require a separate formal process.

Why use HRDocBox rather than AI?

AI can generate a list of one-to-one questions, but this script provides a practical flow that managers can use immediately, taking the conversation from previous actions through wellbeing, workload and performance to clear next steps. It helps managers run consistent meetings without turning them into an unnecessarily formal or time-consuming process.

How this content is developed and reviewed

The One to One (121) review meeting script template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates and supporting information are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing learning and development HR processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.

Executive recommendation

"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."

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