Amazon HR document reveals increase in employees put on PIPs during record layoffs
A recent Amazon HR document has shed light on a significant spike in the number of employees placed on Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) from spring 2022 through early 2023. This surge in PIP placements coincided with a period of massive layoffs at the company.
The document, obtained by Business Insider, revealed that in April 2022, nearly 2,000 employees were enrolled in Amazon’s Focus program, the initial stage of the PIP process. By the end of the year, over 3,300 employees were entering Focus each month. In January 2023, these numbers increased even further.
Additionally, the document showed that the number of new monthly entries into Pivot, the second phase of Amazon’s PIP system, more than doubled during the same period. This data was compiled by the company’s “PXT” group, which stands for People Experience and Technology.
The increase in PIP placements coincided with Amazon’s announcement of 27,000 layoffs between November 2022 and March 2023. While layoffs are typically due to financial reasons like downsizing, PIPs are used when employees are not meeting performance standards and may face termination.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the document but noted that the data reporting mechanisms had since been updated. The company emphasized that any past workforce reductions were not related to the PIP process.
The document also highlighted concerns among employees about “quiet firing,” a tactic where companies discreetly eliminate jobs to minimize costs and reduce public attention. Some employees viewed the increase in PIP placements as part of this strategy.
Overall, the data from the HR document underscores the challenges faced by Amazon employees and the company’s efforts to maintain a high performance bar during a period of significant organizational changes.