Microsoft

• I'm surrounded by intelligent and respectful people.
• Some are very easy to work with and share knowledge when asked.
• Hybrid work and the ability to WFH is amazing.
• I have a great manager (lucky me).
• A lot of focus on customer trust and security (morally correct path).
• Good insurance.
• Good benefits (401k, ESPP, Perks+).
• MSFT recognized me twice when I was pushing long hours by giving me Special Stock Awards.

My work/life balance suffers. Even though I WFH, I often work 10+ hours a day.

You career and raises depend a lot on your manager. If your manager is bad, doesn't fight for you, and gives you bad projects, then you're screwed. I was lucky with my last two managers, but I know that manager is a huge factor.

Even when recognized for pushing extra hours, my pay is not competitive compared to Apple, Meta, Google, and Amazon. It's way far behind.

Senior leadership decided to invest in AI and acquisitions instead of raises for employees due to "global macroeconomic uncertainties," even though the pay is not competitive.

Everything is great except the pay. The pay for developers at Microsoft is far behind other big corporations. It's so bad that I'm considering throwing everything that's good at Microsoft away for better pay.