Google changes its appraisal program, VP emails to employees: “We want to be upfront that…”

Google announced major changes to its employee performance review system that will reward high performers with greater bonuses and equity while reducing compensation for others, according to an internal email sent to staff earlier this week.

“High performance is more important than ever to achieve the goals we’ve set,” wrote John Casey, Google’s vice president of global compensation and benefits, in the company-wide message. The revisions to Google’s annual review process will allow more employees to achieve the coveted “Outstanding Impact” rating.