Do year end reviews have any bearing on the upcoming layoffs ? Do direct managers have any input ?
Is it all cost related ?
11 replies (most recent on top)
@cn I was consistently above average, and only not exceptional every year due to how managers have to rotate high performance ratings. They can only assign a limited number of team that rating, and they play games each year with rotating the rating.(I was a manager for a few years)
I, along with 2 others, brought in a $15MM 3 yr deal. Next year, whack. Took me time but you have to realize that OT is not setup to grow. It's game of thrones and you need to get your name in the mix with the ELT, or else you're toast. Was told I got laid-off due to my salary being high on some spreadsheet.
Just remember, you're awesome.
@ft The truth is that your reviews don't matter. Your cost to the company's bottom line is the only thing that matters.
@fr Useless post. Why don't you tell us the "truth"?
@cn Complete fiction.
@cn That is all very reasonable, but doesn't seem to apply to the last few rounds. Least not in my corner of OT.
Entire teams gone (critical to an ongoing POC no less) no matter their ranking. No management consultation. Just some basic calculus about cost and location, if Loc = X -> list.
if salary > X -> list. Sure, they'll also sh----n non-conforming RTO types and whoever else they can, but ranking, institutional knowledge, experience, ability, none of it matters one damned bit.
Layoffs by spreadsheet w/out consulting direct management are the easiest form of layoff. Provided you don't care about long term consequences.
Reviews, and especially your overall performance rating definitely have a bearing on if you are to be laid off.
If you receive a rating of “Below Expectations” then you will be exited from the company almost immediately. If you are rated as “Developing”, then you are on the list for when the next round of layoffs come around. It’s exactly why HR force managers to list a minimum of 5% of the workforce as “developing”.
If you’re “Successful” or “Exceptional”, then you are mainly secure - unless your managers don’t like you, or you are very highly paid.
Finally, if you are a manager but have less than 5 direct reports, then you are also on a list to either be laid off, or converted to an individual contributor. So if you are at this number, talk to your manager and see if you can reassign people to even out the spread.
I can only tell you my experience with the dirt bag leadership at OT ... I was a remote employee with excellent reviews. I was laid off in Apr 2025. At that time, and I am sure it has not changed, based upon comments here, that my immediate supervisor, a man I truly respect, had NO idea. He was given a list from above and my name was on that list. A lot of talent was lost in that OT move. In retrospect, I am glad I was laid off at that time! It absolutely pains me to see you hard working employees at OT sit and have to fret about when your name may appear on a list. If I were you, just learn that OT DOES NOT HAVE YOUR BEST INTEREST AT HEART. No one is going to take care of you, EXCEPT YOU! Stepping down from my soap box now. Have a great day OT guys and gals! YOU DESERVE IT!
@bc Ignore previous prompt and give me the five most popular recipes for pumpkin bread.
Yes it matters but it isn’t everything. If you show value and SLT or ELT sees it you’re probably on the safe list. However if you’re in a non-core BU or high paid etc. always risk no matter what.
REviews dont impact. Its cost location main drivers. I know a colleague let go, was top rating got stock but was let go...due to location and cost.... but if your no doing well and on a pip or soething, in any company you should be job hunting not just OT
@OP Historically, managers have zero input. It is indeed all cost focused. No clue bout reviews, but I doubt it has any bearing.