forced curve

Uber
slalwp

Go to company page Uber

slalwp
Sep 7, 2019 12 Comments

I would be interested to hear from people wtih experience challanging the concept of forced curves.

Firstly im not at Uber anymore so this concerns another employer.

I joined and have built a new team within the last 6 months and we approach our first performance review. I was hired to raise the bar for my team theough hiring and leading and my predessor deivered a shit show. i learned last week that despite it being called a performance review and ending with a performance rating (with bonus) and having an employment contract that stipulates i would have performance ratings, that in fact the company will implement an ‘approaching target’ which is one below midpoint for all employees under 6 months servcie. regardless of inpact, feedback or managers review. most of the team is just shy of the 6 months.

my question is 1) Is this even legal given our employment contracts etc? 2) Is this common but i have somehow not seen it elsewhere? 3) what would you guys do?

I have refused to issue those ratings for my team as i dont belive in them. i have said i will only do so if the company changes the ratings on my bahalf following calibration (which we now know is rigged). i am probably gonna be fired.

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TOP 12 Comments
  • Roku
    cruella

    Go to company page Roku

    cruella
    Don't get fired for principles. It won't change anything anywhere.

    Try to induce change through coercion or persuasion if you care enough. If you don't, then leave.
    Sep 7, 2019 1
    • Uber
      slalwp

      Go to company page Uber

      slalwp
      OP
      I agree. My communications are of course professional and I have agreed to do whatever the leadership decides, have just shed light on the unfairness. I’m probably exaggerating when I say I would be fired.
      Sep 7, 2019
  • Oracle
    larry_off

    Go to company page Oracle

    larry_off
    Is this at Amazon?
    Sep 7, 2019 2
  • New
    Rameny

    New

    Rameny
    Did you join as an Engineering Manager ? Senior Engg Manager ?
    Being prone to confrontations does not help anyone. You need to resolve this amicably and assertively, or leave in due course of time
    Sep 7, 2019 1
    • Uber
      slalwp

      Go to company page Uber

      slalwp
      OP
      Senior Eng. I think you are correct about options. Try to get them to do the right thing, if not keep head down and bounce next year. Just a shame given how successful we have been.
      Sep 7, 2019
  • Amazon
    azmix

    Go to company page Amazon

    azmix
    Thank our friend Welch. I know it’s a rhetorical question, but what kind of modern company chooses to use talent management principles developed by General Electric more than 30 years ago?
    Sep 7, 2019 0
  • Airbnb
    HakeHaIe

    Go to company page Airbnb

    HakeHaIe
    Yes it’s legal. You do not have an employment contract. Your employment is at will.
    Sep 7, 2019 2
    • Uber
      slalwp

      Go to company page Uber

      slalwp
      OP
      We are a global team. Only I am based in Bay Area. I was asking generally.
      Sep 7, 2019
    • Airbnb
      HakeHaIe

      Go to company page Airbnb

      HakeHaIe
      All that matters for you is where you are based. It doesn’t matter how global your team is. You don’t have an employment contract. Your employment is at will. Yes it’s legal.

      It’s impossible to answer about your team unless you tell us the jurisdiction for each team member. There is no “asking generally” when it comes to legal matters. Law is based on where each person is.

      Is it legal somewhere on Earth? Yes. Is it illegal somewhere on Earth? Yes.
      Sep 7, 2019