Life in Cisco: complex evaluation schemes designed to identify the top 20% s----ups and justify the annual mandatory layoffs. Performance has little, if anything to do with evaluations.
Life after Cisco can be summed up like this: Your boss knows what you do and recognizes you for that work. If it is bad they eliminate you. If it is good they reward you.
Seriously, do yourselves a favor and get out before you think Cisco is normal. The tech sector is booming and looking for hungry smart engineers who have up to date skills.
Really good point by @YwGeuWo-1hov.