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Lose your work-life balance while you satisfy stockholders

Group Test Manager
Former Employee
Worked at Microsoft for less than 1 year
June 11, 2008
Redmond, Washington
2.0
Doesn't RecommendDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

Lots of things to do. Good benefits. Lots of classes. They have classes in every subject and support your time spent in these for the most part. Offices are pretty nice as well.

Cons

Too big and complex. Always a follower, never a leader. MS is mired down in compatibility as well and not willing to break free into new markets. The cost of support just grows and grows, and in the end isn't helping customers move technology forward. Doesn't trust its product teams to make good products that will win. They talk a lot about work-life balance, but they don't truly support it. They will pretend they do by not asking you to work the weekend, but they will rate you on these points later on. It becomes an unstated policy. Those that spend their lives on campus get promoted faster.

Advice to Management

First, learn how to manage people. Next, understand that people are the business. Stockholders are important, but not as important as the people.

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