Pros
There have been lots of changes, now and in the past, it feels worrying at times but I must say that we are still on the positive side. Overall it's a good place to be. Some of the best things: * Lots of trust (even though it starts feeling shaky) * Very good work-life balance, flexibility * Still not a bad pay (but no real raise for a while now, see below) * Breakfast and snacks in the office * In general amazing workplace management, always coming up with surprises * Many kind and very smart colleagues * Resources for learning * Good equipment * Interesting work (though this varies a lot from team to team) * Great place for those who like games * Some big and shiny events/parties for those who like that * Approachable leadership * Lots of focus on D&E, and on creating a good environment, being good humans towards each other. One feels very safe in that sense - no harassment, visible efforts to make all feel welcome, employee networks.
Cons
Changes after acquisition, the sense of safety is gone, the feeling that more changes are to come remains. * Layoffs where it's hard to understand reasoning behind. * The quality, especially of internal processes and products, is not rewarded. Fast and dirty is the way to go (even though something else might be said out loud, that has always been the reality). * One would rather not speak up, one is rather expected to support the leadership unconditionally, not raise waves. * Salary has been going down significantly in the recent years due to inflation, the yearly raise is insignificant. * A lot of unnecessary control has been introduced recently, especially in some departments (e.g., limiting the times when one can go on holidays, that's just one example). The rules are made for the purpose of making rules. * The feeling in the air that MS will want to cut even more - people, benefits, etc. * Trying to build up excitement where there is nothing much to be excited about * A feeling that we are expected to give all and above but they aren't willing to give back all and above to the employees, rather give less with time. * While we have support for learning in the shape of books and e-resources, any other kind of training (in-place courses) have been cut to nothing, * Big hierarchy, layer on layer, feels like one just quickly hits the ceiling, a quiet competition for taking responsibilities. Lack of spoken-out clarity on expectations. Good for those who can guess it right. * Centralized important functions, like IT support - it should not be that complicated to get quick help, being blocked actually costs to the company.
