Automattic

• Remote-first culture.
• Flexible core working hours.
• Unlimited PTO (depends on team norms).
• Competitive pay if you live outside the US.

Lack of job security: frequent layoffs have occurred across teams over the past two years.

Unclear evaluation standards for ICs: even strong performance reviews are often dismissed as "inflated."

No clear evaluation criteria for ICs. High-performance reviews are often dismissed as "inflated" or lacking in "outcome."

No career growth for engineers: flat organizational structure offers no defined advancement path.

Generalist tech culture encourages inconsistent and often poor practices.

Reliance on outdated technology, with WordPress still at the core after 20 years.

Clueless business leaders continue to acquire failed projects with no clear strategy.

A small operations group exerts disproportionate influence, enforcing the above and creating a climate of fear that can jeopardize employment.

• Get proper business leadership training — an MBA would help more than continuing to acquire failed projects.
• Provide genuine job security by reducing the cycle of constant layoffs.

Stop the cycle of layoffs and provide employees with a sense of stability.

• Define transparent, fair evaluation criteria for ICs instead of dismissing strong performance.
• Build real career paths for engineers rather than hiding behind a flat structure.
• Address the toxic influence of operations and foster a healthier, trust-based culture.