[cjsplat]

I don't know because the change was decided way above my pay grade, but I always assumed that the reason was HR legal.

It is hard to look at people who are objectively doing as well as each other, and rate some lower only because they have been at that job grade "too long".

The fig leaf was always that the ladders encourages keeping up with technology and the company, which meant people couldn't tread water at the lower grades.

But if the "new technology" isn't necessary for the job duties, labor lawyers can have a field day.