Adobe

I've been here for over 8 years and had a great ride.

I've been considered top talent and well-compensated.

The stock price has really appreciated.

I've contributed to multiple new products generating $100M+ annually and a handful of new patents.

As a female engineering leader, I feel I've been treated equally relative to my male peers, which isn't the case elsewhere.

Fantastic people, excellent company culture, successful business & operating model.

The last two years have brought out a new, ugly side of Adobe, unfortunately. Executive leadership is all in California, resulting in insular thinking, and is clearly being more open about their support of left-leaning politics. My peers in other locations feel our leaders lack awareness of different perspectives, lifestyles, and experiences of employees across the United States. Being in CA myself, it's harder to understand this, but in recent months, I can see what they're talking about.

Examples include Adobe's prompt action to subject itself to President Biden's ETS vaccine mandate, seemingly before the ink had dried. During my team here, Adobe has never – I repeat, NEVER – been a front-runner on any issues involving difficult decisions and significant change. Rather, we conservatively and prudently wait to see what other major tech players do, along with the consequences, and then follow suit or act differently if appropriate.

In the case of ETS, many other tech companies and large employers are waiting for this controversial issue to play out in the courts and ultimately the Supreme Court before imposing what can be such a life/career-changing requirement on their employees. But contrary to the Adobe I've grown to love, it feels appropriate to force all employees – remote or not – to vaccination NOW, regardless of current and future court outcomes.

And another example: Occasionally, we deliberately 'over-rotate' with our diversity and inclusion efforts, resulting in obvious reverse discrimination in our hiring practices and development opportunities, but leadership casually sweeps it under the rug.

It's painful to write such a review about a company with nine great things to every one drawback, but these drawbacks are inexcusable and so uncharacteristic of our "Adobe-4-All" mantra.

Recognize your own personal biases and conflicts-of-interest spilling over into decisions.

Listen to your employees and especially seek to understand differing perspectives.

"Be genuine" to the true spirit and purpose of the Adobe-4-ALL mantra.