Surprized? Original Article: https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-focus-coaching-plans-unregretted-attrition-2021-5 Without Paywall: https://outline.com/nvVTr5 "There are no checks and balances," one Amazon manager said. "If I want to get rid of my staff, I can put them into Focus plan. There is no appeal system for Focus. It's a one-way street." #Amazon #AWS #PIP #DevList #Focus #Pivot #Coaching #HR #Bezos #Jassy #Beth
It’s a win-win for everyone if you understand the intent and alternatives. A PIP with “impossible” goals can be viewed as: You’re probably fired, so have some time to look for another job. But if you’re really motivated and feeling lucky, you might be able to work really hard and keep your job. The alternative is just being fired and walked out the same day (assuming at-will employment).
When described like this it sounds reasonable, and it probably is on paper. The likely problem is that Amazon managers abuse it.
Op the article just summarized the pip culture at Amazon. Don’t we all know this already?
What’s wrong with this? “Puts underperforming....”. Well, how about they don’t underperform? Technicallg every company does this. Problem with Amazon is the hiring bar.
Many people in my team perform worse, manager put me on PIP. I know this to be true for many staff in other teams. You are ignorant to the issue!
My mgr always stated that my performance was fine. And I was put on coaching plan only for delaying some 1:1s with skip/pms, rofl. That was my point where I gave up in probation period, will see what will happen next. I am pretty sure that I will be able to complete the tasks of plan, although they provided no mentorship since I have joined. Not worth it, its just a sinking ship, full of individuals.
Former Amazonian here. Amazon chooses to optimize hiring new employees vs developing.