I’m in the x86 hardware group. I’ve been here a little more than a year, and already survived 3 RIFs. Recently my manager asked if we could move my performance review cycle to May. The alarms went off in my head. A RIF ? Am I reading too much into it? I was on a end-of-calendar-year schedule because of my join date. No negative feedback so far, but I’m concerned.
4 replies (most recent on top)
Performance reviews have long been disassociated from anything meaningful (i.e. raises). In some areas of the business, they've done away with them altogether. What I've heard they are used for now is to gather employee feedback that can be used to estimate the likelihood that an employee will leave on their own accord. That info can then be used to decide whether to force someone out (e.g. someone who plans to stay, but isn't valued) or to let them find their own way out (i.e. save on a severance package).
In terms of actually having a review and moving it to May -- that is a puzzle. My best guess is that it could be good or bad. The bad news would be the meeting is actually a conversation about when you will be let go. The potential good side is that you are one of few that they want to keep on the skeleton crew and they'll offer a bonus or raise as the incentive.
Depends what region you are in. There are known RIF's on the go in Ex-Sun product areas. If you are high cost and not based in a low cost country like Romania/India/China then expect the boot. (Exception is US). UK is next to go. Oracle are kicking long term experienced and costly employees and replacing with new cheap basic skills employees in cheap countries.
Not sure I would read too much into this. Fiscal year-end is May, and my yearly reviews have always been in June (at the latest). I started in January several years ago.
Performance review cycle is set by corporat, for your manager to try to change it is very suspect. Have you asked him what the rationale is? Also, ping your HR rep and see what they have to say about it. Finally, start looking for another job ASAP!