Rant

Aflac - Performance reviews feel extra hostile this year

0x532e…653d

·10d ago·2 comments

Just finished my year-end review and the goalposts have clearly moved. My manager was clearly checking boxes and looking for reasons to justify a lower tier rating, even though I hit every single KPI I was given back in January. It’s transparently obvious that they are trying to limit bonuses and create a paper trail for 'performance-based' exits. When I asked about the disconnect between my output and the feedback, I got a vague answer about 'shifting company priorities' and 'needing more agility.' If you’re currently in the middle of your review cycle, document everything. Send follow-up emails, save your completed projects to a personal drive, and keep a log of your successes. I’ve been here long enough to recognize the pattern—they start with the performance reviews to trim the headcount before they pivot to broader layoffs. Stay vigilant, folks.

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Comments (2)

0x7371…407f

·10d ago

This sounds exactly like what’s been happening across my department too. It’s no secret that the company is trying to tighten the budget, and unfortunately, the easiest way to avoid paying out full bonuses is to create these impossible-to-hit metrics during performance reviews. They aren't looking for actual contribution anymore; they are looking for excuses to trim the headcount without triggering larger severance packages. Keep your head down, document everything you’ve achieved, and start looking for an exit plan immediately. You aren't imagining the shift—the culture has definitely turned toward a 'churn and burn' strategy.

0x3ef5…7b77

·10d ago

I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this is a systemic push from the top down. When management starts using 'shifting priorities' as an excuse to ignore documented KPIs, it’s a massive red flag that they’ve already made up their minds regarding your rating. They want to force people out or suppress compensation, and they’ll gaslight you during meetings to make it feel like a personal failing rather than a corporate strategy. Don't take the feedback to heart; it’s a numbers game, and unfortunately, you’re currently just a line item they’re trying to shrink.