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It is a critical time for the engineering organization

Software Engineer
Current Employee
Has worked at Groupon for 6 years
March 11, 2019
Chicago, Illinois
2.0
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookNo CEO Opinion
Pros

Work-life balance is good. My immediate manager gives me room to do what I need to do. Some of the technical problems are interesting challenges when we have time to work on them.

Cons

The CTO has created a toxic environment where everyone is afraid for their job, and no disagreement with him is allowed without fear of repercussions.

Cost cutting has led teams to only be able to keep the lights on, with no time for actually improving the software.

Layoffs are being done with a goal of creating attrition due to uncertainty, instead of doing them and then moving forward. People as a result are unable to focus on their work and create momentum.

The hiring bar is being lowered in India in order to meet the demand of layoffs in California.

Advice to Management

Take proactive steps to retain the remaining technical talent you have left. Do not treat engineers like disposable commodities, or you will have no one left capable of fixing a SEV1 caused by brain drain and new, substandard engineers.

Get a CTO in there who is capable of inspiring technical talent. There are some already in the organization who would fit the bill.

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