I survived an Amazon PIP. Ask me anything
I survived the actual PIP, not devlist/focus/pivot. I'll try to answer as many as possible in a couple of days. If you think a question is relevant "like" it so I see it first Granted, it was a long time ago, so not sure the info will be that relevant. $450
Was your work drastically different during pip than normal?
yes, I was given a smaller scope for a short period of time. Before the PIP, I had a bunch of admin tasks that added no value. For a couple of months, I had to deliver only high impact tasks to prove I was meeting the bar.
Tell me more
Whats the key point that got you out of pip? Did you resent your manager for putting you there?
misaligned expectations. I did a pretty decent job at keeping my task list relatively clean/done, but my manager wanted me to tackle long term projects that I took a long time to complete. I never knew that's what he really wanted until I was presented the PIP document. I think what my manager did was a wake up call to always check on people to ensure what you're doing is what they want.... I don't think it was fair. I wish I had gotten a fair and square feedback with a chance to improve before the "improve this or you're fired"
This is good feedback of how you need to be prepared to deal with bad managers. Your manager failed by surprising you with this. A reminder to proactively ask for feedback.
Was it justified or a shitty manager?
I am biased to answer this 100% objectively, but I wasn't given any warning that I wasn't meeting expectations. No signs and my manager was an introvert. I wish I had a more fair feedback process with a chance to improve before getting this serious.
How long is focus generally? Do we get enough time during focus to LC and GTFO?
I was PIPed before focus existed. But, in my experience as a manager, it takes several months in focus for you to file a pivot process... luckily I never had to pivot anyone the problem is the employee doesn't always know he/she is in focus.
Perfectly said in the last time whatâs the problem is ! Focus is such a shady secretive process. No duration, appeal or rules around it.
How did you survive it? How long was the pip? another person in your team is pip'd for quota?
I met all of my goals in 2 months. It took some pushing and another month for my manager remove me from the system.
Another person is put into pip quota?
haha I am a mortal since I almost died
May be it was a set up to make you find more lambs for the slaughter. Old trick to let one prisoner live and escape so he can lead them to more
When was it? What was your level? And what is your level now? Where is you and where is the manager that PIP you now?
too many questions. What do you really want to know?
What was your level when you entered PIP? And what is your level now?
Did you look for other jobs during PIP?
No, in my case my goal was achievable and I had confidence I could beat it. I casually looked for jobs, but I beat the PIP before I found something else.