Checkout.com

Good pay, good bonus, good Greenfield.

Staff promotions are often based on tenure rather than merit, leading to senior positions being filled by individuals who may lack the necessary skills, empathy, or compassion. This often results in unrealistic expectations, where you're pushed to consistently exceed your pace by 110%, with a focus solely on delivering results.

Performance reviews are conducted in a manner that forces employees into a bell curve, where most are rated as average, regardless of their actual performance. This system often overlooks truly skilled team members, promoting others without merit and without accountability. Meanwhile, those who are talented but don't align with the company's culture are suppressed and overlooked.

The culture encourages conformity—if you challenge the status quo, you're likely to face consequences. Those who excel in this environment do so by conforming without question. The dismissal of good employees leaves the remaining team members in shock, yet the relentless pace continues, creating an unsustainable work environment.

Different teams may offer varied experiences, but my time here left me and many others feeling demotivated. We were often treated as unskilled workers by senior engineering managers who acted as the ruling elite. The culture becomes increasingly ruthless at higher levels, culminating in a CEO who, while generous, embodies this ruthlessness.

My years at Checkout.com forced me to re-evaluate my life choices, and I doubt I would invest so heavily in a similar environment again.

On a positive note, Ott made significant contributions by introducing good standards and practices across teams. I wish the best of luck to his successor.

There is a significant issue within a team under a senior software engineering manager, where both Engineering Managers and their staff are feeling immense pressure. Many are demotivated, unappreciated, and some are considering leaving, while others have already left in protest.

This exodus has been met with silence, and the reasoning dismissed as "their heart just isn't in it." However, this is not the case—there is a clear cause and effect at play.

It's crucial to recognize that skilled workers need to be treated with respect and appreciation. There have been instances of stolen ideas and employees being thrown under the bus for personal gain, creating a toxic environment. This behavior not only demoralizes the team but also drives away valuable talent.

I witnessed firsthand how a team leader responded harshly when I raised concerns about promotions based on friendships and suggested a competency test for fairness. The individual who was promoted without merit quickly went from being happy to struggling, highlighting the detrimental effects of such practices.

The situation culminated in my removal, not by choice, as part of a remote-based decision. Now, the system I designed, which had a clear purpose, is being misused, over budget, and behind schedule. Much of the work done was unnecessary, and many people's time was wasted. Those who remain seem to have lost sight of the original objectives, further compounding the inefficiency.

To address these issues, I strongly recommend the following:

• Promote Based on Merit: Implement a fair and transparent promotion process that includes competency assessments to ensure the right people are advancing.
• Foster Open Communication: Encourage a culture where concerns can be raised without fear of retaliation. This will help identify and resolve issues before they escalate.
• Value Your People: Skilled workers are your greatest asset. Treat them with the respect they deserve, recognize their contributions, and ensure they feel appreciated.
• Review Management Practices: Reevaluate the current leadership approach to ensure it aligns with company values and supports the well-being and productivity of all employees.
• Focus on Purpose: Ensure that projects remain aligned with their original goals and that everyone involved understands the purpose and value of their work.

Addressing these areas will not only improve morale but also enhance productivity, reduce turnover, and create a healthier, more successful work environment.

Thank you for your feedback. We'll look into it.