Tech industry shifts to stricter performance expectations

Tech companies are changing their work cultures significantly, shifting from a focus on employee perks to demanding high performance and efficiency. Economic pressures, consequences of the pandemic, and political changes are fueling this transformation. Big Tech and startups are pushing employees to "do more with less." Many companies have adopted a harder approach to management. This includes layoffs, strict return-to-office policies, and the elimination of bonuses and benefits that were previously common. CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai are openly discussing performance pressures, making it clear that mediocrity will not be tolerated. Historically, tech firms offered high salaries and luxurious perks like gourmet meals and massages as a way to attract talent. However, the end of the pandemic boom led to stock market declines and increased interest rates, prompting companies to prioritize efficiency and cost-cutting. Layoffs have reached alarming levels, with major firms like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon collectively cutting over 60,000 jobs. These changes are reaching startups as well, where teams are becoming leaner and performance expectations stricter. There is now pressure on employees to meet high-performance standards, with some workers feeling the stress of unattainable goals. Employees from various companies report high levels of burnout and anxiety due to these expectations. Overall, the tech industry appears to be moving away from a culture of comfort and support, evolving into one that demands hard work and results. Companies want employees to know that the days of easy-going work environments are over.