Empower reviews

Beginning in 2013 GWF implemented the infamous “stack ranking” method of reviewing employees. This is the same system that Microsoft abandoned at the end of 2013; citing it as “the most destructive process inside of Microsoft…” which “pit staffers against each other, hampering collaboration” As part of this system, Great-West Financial has mandated that 10% of all employees must be ranked as under performers. Managers of small groups (5-10 employees) must rate at least 1 of their staff as non-performers solely for the purpose of fulfilling the quota, regardless of actual performance. These employees will not receive a raise. I anticipate a significant portion will be seeking employment elsewhere, taking experience and knowledge with them, likely getting a raise. Perhaps to a competitor, opening a new campus 5 miles to the south? This company is stuck in the old corporate mentality and will struggle in the short term until it understands and embraces the future employee; "The much-anticipated wave of Millennials is upon us, with their addiction to social media, their attachment to consumer devices and their merging of work and personal lives. In fact, Millennials or Generation Y make up more than a third of the U.S. workforce and are quickly moving into management ranks", according to a recent Ernst & Young study. GWF is making no attempt to accept or even understand this future.