Passez à l'illimité avec Magzter GOLD

Passez à l'illimité avec Magzter GOLD

Obtenez un accès illimité à plus de 9 000 magazines, journaux et articles Premium pour seulement

$149.99
 
$74.99/Année
The Perfect Holiday Gift Gift Now

How to Spot a Low Performer

The Straits Times

|

March 17, 2025

It's a lot harder than it should be, despite decades of corporate effort.

- Pilita Clark

There is no pleasant way to be fired. But imagine how much worse it must be to get the sack as your employer declares it is axing poor performers. For thousands of workers in 2025, no imagination has been needed.

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg told his staff in January he had "decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low performers faster", a move expected to eliminate about 3,600 jobs. A short while later, workers caught up in the Trump administration's sweeping purge of federal employees received termination notices saying "based on your performance... you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the agency would be in the public interest".

Last week in Britain, ministers said they were going to make it easier to force out underachieving civil servants on the grounds that Whitehall is currently "not match fit".

These moves are not strictly comparable. The US federal mass firings were so rushed and chaotic that some departments have been ordered to temporarily reinstate people amid claims that rules were ignored.

The British government plans a more measured approach of tightening up performance monitoring and giving senior staff deemed to be mediocre six months to improve before facing dismissal. Meta's clear-out is also likely to be more calculated.

PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Lee Si Song recovers from cerebral haemorrhage, back in Singapore

Homegrown songwriter-producer Lee Si Song, who suffered a cerebral haemorrhage in Beijing, China, in September, has returned to Singapore.

time to read

2 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

Singapore welcomes 2026 with dazzling fireworks, heartland cheer

Massive crowds throng Kallang Basin and Marina Bay waterfronts to ring in new year

time to read

4 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

Europe can't afford to squander many more chances

20 per cent of its territory, currently occupied by Russia.

time to read

3 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Hot duo lead Spurs' comeback over Knicks

Julian Champagnie rattled in 11 three-pointers and Victor Wembanyama scored 31 points, as the San Antonio Spurs came from behind to defeat the New York Knicks 134-132 in a National Basketball Association (NBA) New Year's Eve thriller.

time to read

2 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

ANCESTRAL LAND HARD TO BEAT IN KING KHALED UNI

Last season’s sprinting star to get on front foot at first outing of new Saudi campaign

time to read

2 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

Wall Street ends year's final session lower but posts big annual gains

Double-digit gains in 2025 for S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq despite Trump turmoil

time to read

3 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

Rosenior in the frame to replace sacked Maresca

Chelsea dismissed manager Enzo Maresca on Jan 1, after widespread reports that the club’s board had met to discuss his future.

time to read

2 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

Chronic underemployment driving youth overseas

(VISLA) that advocates migrant rights and ethical recruitment practices.

time to read

6 mins

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

The Straits Times

Injured dancer Li Kai Yin shares clearer photo of himself since Mirror accident in 2022

Hong Kong dancer Li Kai Yin has shared a clearer glimpse of himself on social media.

time to read

1 min

January 02, 2026

The Straits Times

Japanese businesses fear losing foreign workers

The workers keep factories afloat, but are increasingly drawn to other countries

time to read

4 mins

January 02, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size

Holiday offer front
Holiday offer back