However, these changes have not been without controversy. Employees have voiced concerns about limited oversight and the potential for misuse of the evaluation system, with some describing it as “predatory and opaque.” Amazon’s approach, which involves categorizing employees into five performance tiers and setting fixed percentages for each, has drawn criticism for fostering a cutthroat, stack-ranking culture reminiscent of other tech giants.
In summary, Amazon’s revamped performance review system formalizes its Leadership Principles as a key metric, aiming to create a more disciplined and high-performing workforce. While intended to strengthen culture and reward top talent, the changes could intensify concerns about transparency, fairness, and the company’s demanding environment.
For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
