Databricks

The following are the best things about working at Databricks, in my opinion:

• Great brand recognition in the business and technology communities.
• The data platform is fantastic and getting better every day.
• Cult following among customers, especially data engineering and data science teams.

Databricks has hired about 6,000 employees since I started several years ago. I don't believe my experience at the company is common for field engineers. I cannot leave Databricks fast enough.

The only thing keeping me at the company was my RSUs, but the potential windfall from RSUs isn't worth the stress and misery at work. Let me give you a snapshot of the last six months:

• A peer was told he was being put on a performance plan, and he needed to find a new role. He wasn't given any paperwork. He reached out to HR only to learn he wasn't on a plan at all. His manager fabricated the whole thing. The manager was not terminated. The team member was moved to a new group.
• A female team member called me one day to say HR was investigating her boss because of a sexual harassment claim stemming from a dinner we attended. She told me I would be contacted by HR to share my version of what happened, and not to disclose she reached out to me. HR never reached out.
• My manager joined my first customer meeting, which was at a well-recognized company. We were meeting with their VP of Data and Strategy, who happened to be a woman. My male manager explained the value of the platform to her with the analogy of "baking a cake for your husband". I was asked he not be a part of future meetings.
• Forget taking vacations or sick time. One of my account executives went to my manager while I was on vacation to cover a call. My manager responded, "I'm good at assigning accounts and filing [overlay requests]".
• My manager NEVER gives me performance feedback. When I ask for feedback, I'm told everything is fine. I get to my review, and I get all sorts of constructive feedback. And you can't switch teams or roles unless you're exceeding expectations. It's this sadistic way to trap you in a position you hate.
• I've been on the phone with colleagues either crying or irate, shaken by a call with their manager.

Except for semi-annual employee surveys, I have never been asked for my point of view on the company or team. From my vantage point, you keep your mouth shut and work, or they have a pipeline of applicants ready to take your place.

We've got a great product. We have a talented workforce. With our success, it feels like managers are losing sight of their professionalism. We need to cultivate a healthy performance culture. We should be fostering teamwork and developing our talent.

What's the expression, "Faster alone, further together"?