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Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

seattletimes.com

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Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#61

Post by pyuser583 »

ozzythecat wrote: post #25

> “Should I tell an employee that I entered them into Focus?” the question reads. The response: “Do not discuss Focus with employees. Instead, tell the employee that their performance is not meeting expectations, the specific areas where they need to improve, and offer feedback and support to help them improve.” The headline is editorialized. IMO whether you’re told you’re in Focus or not is irrelevant. If your manag…

That sounds much, much, much more reasonable than what everyone else is assuming.

Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#62

Post by avereveard »

ozzythecat wrote: post #25

> “Should I tell an employee that I entered them into Focus?” the question reads. The response: “Do not discuss Focus with employees. Instead, tell the employee that their performance is not meeting expectations, the specific areas where they need to improve, and offer feedback and support to help them improve.” The headline is editorialized. IMO whether you’re told you’re in Focus or not is irrelevant. If your manag…

> should be permanent, regardless of your performance?

You're assuming that the tool will only be used objectively and transiently, a big if in a tool with mandated secrecy. The real question is should the tool remain secretive so that people in power can use it completely unchallenged as a weapon against employee?

Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#63

Post by posharma »

This is a company that is enjoying roaring success with such questionable employee management practices. How does this happen? Does success have no correlation with bad culture? If yes, why are other companies focusing their time and energy on good work/employee culture? What gives?

Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#64

Post by malfist »

gigatexal wrote: post #53

That Amazon or any company has such a plan is actually laudable. I was under the impression that folks who are not performing just get given a 2-week notice. But it's likely more profitable to rehabilitate or retrain an underperforming employee than to go through the process of hiring and onboarding a new employee. None of this is out of altruism -- it's a cost benefit analysis (see also the scene in the Fight Club m…

Sure, if they were only targeting poor performing folks then your statement has merit. The difference is at amazon managers have a 5-10% URA (Unregretted Attrition Rate) and must let go that percentage of their team each and every year. Doesn't take long to chew through poor performers and have to move on to people lower on the political totem pole, or worse at playing the political game/being friendly.

Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#65

Post by ta984332444 »

The article is conflating two concepts at Amazon. There is "devplan/focus" and there is performance improvement plan (PIP). You are not fired while on focus. Despite what one of the people indicates in their comments, you cannot be on a PIP and not know. The PIP is an agreed upon plan with a specific output between HR, management and the employee. Firing happens through PIPs, not focus. Though focus is what leads to a PIP.

I agree the lack of transparency on the focus is stupid (especially since it can prevent you from moving), but you don't wake up one day and end up fired. You will be put on a PIP first and be well aware of it (since you have to agree to the plan or take a payout to leave instead).

Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#66

Post by dragonwriter »

trhway wrote: post #57
ozzythecat wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m at Amazon now. This is not true.

You're already an employee. I'm talking about requirements for candidates. As far as I see it is a relatively recent innovation, which I thought would be blatantly illegal in the US until I saw it myself - I suppose the AMZN lawyers found a loophole. When people talk about glass ceiling - well, now i know what glass bottom feels like :) If any requirements you don't directly match you can try to make a case in say co…

> which I thought would be blatantly illegal until I saw it myself

it would seem to be:

https://www.eeoc.gov/regulations/questions-and-answers-eeoc-...

Re: Amazon tells bosses to conceal when employees are on performance management plan

#69

Post by tablespoon »

imwillofficial wrote: post #51
ozzythecat wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m at Amazon now. This is not true.

Seconded. Haven’t seen this anywhere in Amazon. Edit: Clarified that I meant within Amazon.

> Seconded. Haven’t seen this anywhere.

The military has it, and (news to me) it appears common in accountancy and management consulting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_or_out

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