#ratingscurve

FA managers got the email this morning - start FY26 Performance Evaluations as part of the alignment effort. Manager ratings to be review by leadership. Not stated, but expect a “rack and stack” of employees to be part of the process. Evaluations to be completed by June 26. Is this preparation for the next round of layoffs?

It’s official. After over a decade committed fully to this company I think they have broken my morale irreparably.

Between being told in my performance review I went above and beyond and could not have done a single thing better but could not get an “exemplary” rating because too many were given, to layoffs and AI looming, and not being valued or appreciated at all, I’m going to start applying elsewhere. I miss the old Usbank. I loved this company, I loved my job, I thought I’d retire from here. They really just crushed me.

White Cap HR is rolling out a forced‑ranking system.

Leaders are being told they can only give out a fixed number of ratings — one “Meets,” and one “Needs Improvement” — even when all employees actually meet expectations. In this example the leader has two employees.

The problem? Raises and bonuses are tied directly to these ratings. That means someone is being forced into a lower rating (and lower pay) purely to satisfy HR’s quota, not because of performance.

Forced distribution isn’t automatically illegal for private companies, but it becomes a legal risk fast when:

• Ratings don’t reflect actual performance
• Pay is manipulated through artificial quotas
• Certain groups are disproportionately pushed into “Needs Improvement”
• Managers are pressured to create negative documentation

This is exactly the kind of system that has triggered discrimination and wrongful‑termination lawsuits at other companies.

If this is really the new direction, employees should document everything — because HR is creating a paper trail that doesn’t match reality.

HR guidance is not to peanut butter - rate to a curve but still everyone gets a 3. Extra effort be damned.

I understand the calibration and stuff.
But are the ratings finalized, or is it going to be finalized end of January , close to bonus day.

Pretty much all reviews completed this week. Lots of meetings this week. Lots of Not Met scores on Reviews that usually would be Met. I have almost 30 years and can tell I am on the List. But, I have a feeling if I do get terminated it will be a Blessing in disguise. I will be rid of this Wretched Place.

How? How many folks do you know who actually think she's doing a good job?