>At every reasonably well-run company I've worked for, the "useless" people were steadily sifted out of the company, either through PIPs or routine layoffs.
That's not even close to reality. Some totally incompetent or disinterested would get the boot, yes. Often with people doing most of the hard work but under-appreciated and not into self-promotion.
But the more useless (or even harmful) that are good into office politics and self-promotion are usually the ones promoted.
As for the regular useless (detached) as implied by the article, the kind of performance theater metrics you've mention are the easiest to game.
That's not even close to reality. Some totally incompetent or disinterested would get the boot, yes. Often with people doing most of the hard work but under-appreciated and not into self-promotion.
But the more useless (or even harmful) that are good into office politics and self-promotion are usually the ones promoted.
As for the regular useless (detached) as implied by the article, the kind of performance theater metrics you've mention are the easiest to game.