Dropbox

I was part of the recent layoff at Dropbox. I can say that they went above and beyond with the severance package, returning laptops, and addressing all necessary topics.

They allowed us to say goodbye to our coworkers, and there was no immediate revocation of badge or computer access.

The culture at Dropbox was one of the best, and they genuinely cared for each one of us. The Virtual First approach provided a great toolbox to keep everyone well connected. Most people were accountable for their actions.

The head of QE changed the way we engaged with the teams we supported. New QE/SDET roles were created, and the Sprite season arrived. Dropbox redefined the ratings based on impact. Even if we met the goals/impact, the head of QE punished everyone by lowering our ratings, which had an impact on our bonuses. Morale was at its worst. People left, and some required therapy to overcome the traumatic layoffs.

Before the layoff, the head of QE favored certain individuals, gave them good ratings, and moved them to her own created team. Furthermore, she received a rating of 4 for making us miserable and for the failure of the QE department.

Dropbox eliminated the QE role. To protect her favorites, they were magically converted from QE to Software Developers and Engineering Managers. Some of them don't even know how to code!! Shady, shady!!

While other teams and the environment at Dropbox were great, being in the QE department was miserable during the last few months.

Do not change the rating mechanism four weeks before the review cycle.

It was unfair. The Head of the QE Department did not "own it."

Why were they not accountable for the failure? Not even an apology?

Because of certain individuals, it is not worthy of my trust.