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Smart People, Opportunities for High Impact; Review System Creates Toxic Culture

Senior Software Developer
Former Employee
Worked at Microsoft for 6 years
October 12, 2013
Redmond, Washington
2.0
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

Good benefits; opportunities to work on products that affect millions of users; smart co-workers.

Cons

The curve-based review system (stack ranking) causes a lot of politics. People seek protection by kissing up to manager buddies. They withhold the information you need to do your job and stab you in the back. This causes stress and anxiety that interferes with work. It distracts employees from pleasing the customer and pushes them to do internal show-off projects.

Poor management decisions resulted in embarrassing product failures that have tarnished the company's reputation.

The stock has not moved much for a long time.

Advice to Management

Abolish the stack ranking system. Put in executives and management who are visionary, understand the market, and work to foster a positive culture.

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