Amazon’s Performance Improvement Plan, also known as Amazon PIP, is a program that is designed to help management identify and address areas of performance where employees may be struggling. This can include issues related to inefficiency, harmful workplace behavior, or a lack of productivity.
The goal of the PIP is to help employees improve their performance and become more effective contributors to the company.
Who Benefits From The PIP At Amazon?
The Amazon Performance Improvement Plan helps address performance issues and aims to identify new and rising talent within the company.
This helps embrace employees who have the potential to advance within the organization or take on new roles and responsibilities. By identifying these employees, management can provide them with the support and resources they need to reach their full potential.
A tool to improve the future…
Overall, the PIP is seen as a tool that can help Amazon improve the performance and productivity of its employees, while also identifying and developing new talent within the company.
How Does the Plan Work?
The PIP splits performance reviews into three categories: “Meets Expectations,” “Occasionally Misses Expectations,” and “Needs Improvement.” Factors that Amazon uses to rate its employees include on-the-job performance, knowledge of company policies, helpfulness to co-workers, and attendance.
If an employee falls into the first two categories, they are given a certain amount of time to improve their performance, generally up to two months. Failure to do so will result in being placed in the third category, and this signals the end of their employment with Amazon.
Why is the PIP controversial?
It can be seen as controversial because it results in firing or coaching, and it has received mixed reviews from Amazon’s staff. Many employees are worried about their job security, while others are more optimistic. Some have expressed that they feel the new policy is unfair because not all employees are receiving coaching or training.
How common is the PIP among Amazon employees?
For every 100 employees, ten receive an Amazon Performance Improvement Plan. Compared to similar companies, this rate is considered high. Other employers in the retail industry with comparable workers have PIP rates of 0.5 to 3 percent.
What is the key to avoiding the PIP?
Be aware of areas you struggle in and ask for feedback or coaching. Before an employee receives a PIP, managers will give them a development list. Items addressed on the list require immediate improvement. Therefore, it might be time to ask questions about what you’re doing wrong and how you can do better moving forward.
When employees can correct items on their Dev list, they can avoid a PIP. So, regularly check in with your supervisor and demonstrate a willingness to improve.
What happens to an employee when they are placed on a PIP?
As mentioned, when an employee is placed on a PIP at Amazon, they will receive written notification from their supervisor, indicating the areas they need to improve and a date for completion. They will then have a certain amount of time, generally up to two months, to improve their performance.
Otherwise, they will be placed in the “Needs Improvement” category, and this signals the end of their employment with Amazon.
Is there any kind of severance pay for Amazon employees placed on a PIP?
Yes, if they have been an employee for at least one month, they are eligible to receive severance pay. The final employee payment is based on the duration of working with the company in yearly increments.
Company Policies To Know Before Applying
It is always recommended to learn as much as you can about the company you’re going to apply to. So, let’s take a closer look at the Amazon VTO Policy, the Amazon HR Policy, and Amazon UPT Policy, in addition to the Amazon Vacation Policy, the Amazon Mandatory Overtime Policy, and the Amazon Bereavement Policy, if there’s been a loss in your family.
Things don’t always go to plan, so just in case, check out the Amazon Termination Policy, along with the Amazon Rehire Policy and the Amazon Transfer Policy, or perhaps you’d like to know Does Amazon Give Raises and Does Amazon Give Bonuses?
Now that you have the information you need, let’s take a look at our comprehensive guide to the Amazon Application, and once you’ve applied, find out What Does Amazon Jobs Application Under Construction Mean. But before you move forward, please check up on the Amazon Background Check Policy and/or Does Amazon Hire Felons in 2023?
Final Thoughts
Implemented correctly, the Amazon Performance Improvement Plan has the potential to identify areas of inefficiency.
As well as correcting harmful workplace behavior issues, it also helps identify new and rising talent within the company. However, it does come with its cons, as it can cause increased stress and job insecurity.
Negative effects on the workplace…
Additionally, some Amazon employees feel the PIP policy is unfair because not all of them are receiving coaching or training. Overall, while the performance plan serves its purpose, Amazon management needs to consider the potential negative effects on employee morale and work towards finding a balance that benefits both the company and its staff.
Good luck, and keep up the good work!