
Interestingly, people who promote disparaging narratives often portray separated employees as villains or “bad employees.”
I go through Twitter or LinkedIn and type the words “layoff poor performers” into the search box, and as sure as snowstorms in Buffalo, I cheer on a company to lay off those who “don’t put in the work.”
For example:
So @Google wants the world to know that those 10K folks are poor performers? At least that’s what I understand after reading @livemint and @toi
Calling it #layoffs without specific reasons was at least fair and neutral towards those affected.
What happened to Don’t be evil?
— Pranjal Yadav (@Pranjal_Yadav) November 22, 2022
Managers give competitive ratings to employees and are told (in many companies) only can be considered high performers. Some managers make layoff decisions unnecessarily complicated, and the bottom line is good employees can be “poor” performers.
When you’re laid off under the guise of poor performance, this could stain your work record if you let it. Any separation from a company categorized as “poor” is subjective and is not a death sentence these days.
As explained in the video below, you should not allow companies to dictate your career’s narrative under any circumstances.
Hint: It’s not the end. Not even close.
I should mention most companies don’t offer a performance rating when a potential employer of an ex-employee calls for a reference. You should ask and agree nothing should be said about performance.
The video content is based on my article on Payscale and Fairygodboss.
About Mark Anthony Dyson
I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.