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[return to "Ask HN: Do you work in a company that will fire you for average performance?"]
1. sjbase+N9[view] [source] 2015-08-06 15:48:38
>>kisna7+(OP)
I worked in a company like that. Everyone was ranked against their peers, and if you were below ~40% more than two years in a row, you were "counseled out."

I didn't find it stressful. Partly because I was never in danger, and partly because I knew what I was getting into. But I think it's a bad practice, mainly because it just doesn't work. Empirically what I've observed is a bunch of people in the wrong role, not the wrong company.

It's expensive to fire people: companies could save a lot by making lateral moves easier, and doing better internal matchmaking. As in matching people <--> responsibilities, not like... dating :).

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2. plonh+Hg[view] [source] 2015-08-06 16:45:41
>>sjbase+N9
How did you find enough new hires to replace the massive attrition? Or did high achievers alternate between working hard and slacking off?
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3. sjbase+Vc2[view] [source] 2015-08-07 21:35:57
>>plonh+Hg
The short answer is that we didn't find enough; we were perpetually understaffed. However: most of that was just because of industry-wide talent shortage in information security.

Generally, you fill in the void with people who recently left competitors (who have the same attrition rates).

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