3387 - Rating systems

Ah the good ol' days at work. This meme probably fits most work places.

This brings back memories of the rating system at the phone company (and probably many more companies). 1 to 5. 1 is the worst. 5 is the best.

Back around '91 the phone company told all the divisions that to many people were rated 4's and 5's. That more people should be rated 2, 3 or 4. You know, in the middle. So a lot of divisions re-rated people. Some people got 2's. They were told a 2 was not bad but that they need to improve a little to get back to a 3. "Trust us".

Then in '93 came the layoffs. Guess what. Anyone that had a 2 in any rating category in any of the last 3 years? GONE! So even if you "improved", tough shit. You're outta here.

Some people were shuffled to other departments (me) to fill spots because of qualifications needed for a position. I was moved to a division that didn't buy into the 'downgrade everyone' new way of rating people.

A year later, more layoffs. Guess who was low man on the rating system list? All week people in my department had to re-interview for their job. 5's were interviewed first, then 4's, then us 3's.

Friday came and went and I still didn't know if I was going to have a job the next week. It was the longest weekend of my life.

Monday comes. Monday morning comes and goes. It's Monday afternoon around 2:45. (I remember the time) I finally found out I wouldn't be laid off. Tuesday morning they started laying people off.

Too damn close for someone with 25 years of service. I hung in until 31 years then fled while I still had my sanity. And there was more BS in those last years. Maybe for another post.