'Performance Improvement' discussions seem to be increasing

Has anyone else noticed an uptick in managers having these 'performance improvement plan' (PIP) discussions with team members? It's not just the usual annual review stuff; these feel more frequent and targeted, even for people who have historically been solid performers. The feedback often revolves around 'efficiency' and 'productivity,' which, combined with the general tight budgets and hiring freeze talk, makes me wonder what the real agenda is. It feels less like genuine development and more like a way to trim the fat without explicitly saying layoffs are coming. People are definitely starting to get nervous, and the atmosphere is becoming more anxious. Trying to stay focused on my own work, but it's hard not to notice the trend. What's everyone else seeing?