'The Keeper Test' is the newest way to tell if your workplace values you.

If you were to tell your manager right now that you're considering leaving to work for another company, do you think they'd fight to keep you?

Heavy, right?

Well my friend, you've just had a little taste of a type of management approach called 'The Keeper Test.'

This charming management strategy, developed by Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, operates on the premise that companies should function like professional sports teams.

Watch: I explain The Keeper Test to my co-hosts on Mamamia Out Loud. Post continues below.

What is this psychological torture?

The Keeper Test is simple. Managers are supposed to regularly ask themselves: "Which of my people, if they told me they were leaving for a similar job at a competitor, would I fight hard to keep?"

The idea is that, just like sports coaches make ruthless decisions about which players best serve the team, managers should prioritise only their highest performers, regardless of how long they've been there (or whether or not you remembered their birthday).

It can also work the other way— employees are encouraged to ask their managers this question directly e.g. "If I were to go to another company, how hard would you fight to keep me?" Obviously, I'd rather die than do such a thing, but I can kinda see the appeal of wanting to know.

The benefits (if you're into that sort of thing).

Look, I'll give credit where it's due. There are some managers out there who genuinely believe this approach works. They argue that it forces them to focus on top performers and that it has the potential to improve the retention of "high-value" employees.

Some leadership experts say it helps managers stop tolerating behaviours and performance that aren't consistent with company goals. I mean, we've all worked with that one person who somehow manages to do absolutely nothing while still collecting a pay cheque.

From a financial perspective, organisations can redirect resources from under-performers to top talent while eliminating lengthy performance improvement processes. During tough times, it offers what appears to be an objective metric for making difficult staffing decisions.

But, be warned, there is a downside.

First up, let's talk about the elephant in the room — fear. It was reported that a former Netflix executive assistant described the experience as "terrifying, with anxiety 24/7".

This approach undermines psychological safety, which is one of the most important components of high-performing teams.

Discussing this on the Mamamia Out Loud podcast, my co-host Jessie Stephens also pointed out that professional athletes are paid millions of dollars, have entire teams of coaches, nutritionists, and support staff, and have often benefited from years of taxpayer-funded development programs. Applying that same logic to a junior admin assistant who's been in the workplace for five minutes isn't a strategy— it's just cruel.

Listen to the full episode. Post continues below.

Lucky for us, The Keeper Test really does only work in a US context. The employment laws in Australia are different. We have protections in place that recognise employees as human beings with rights, not just disposable assets.

High turnover is incredibly costly — both financially and culturally. The time and money spent constantly recruiting, hiring, and training new people often outweighs any supposed benefits of maintaining a "high-performance" culture through fear.

Just a thought.

Instead of asking "who would I fight to keep?", maybe we should be asking "how can I better support my team so they succeed?"

If employees come to work every day fearing that they're going to be fired at any second, they will end up resenting the workplace, they will be scared to speak up or voice ideas and the performance strengths that you hired them for will never see the light of day.

I mean would you want to work at a place where a simple mistake could cost you your whole career?

I highly doubt it.

While you're here, sign up to our free BIZ newsletter. A weekly guide filled with real talk about building your career and making money.

If you want more from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature image: Canva.