Microsoft

Microsoft has the best health benefits on the planet. In the 10+ years I was a blue badge, I think I only saw one medical bill that wasn't 100% covered by Microsoft's plan.

In fact, Microsoft probably has the best benefits package in the industry outside of Google (comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans, paternity & maternity leave, 5 weeks of vacation/year after 12+ years of service, company store, company library, Prime card, Pro Club/gym membership, Connector bus/metro pass, free beverages, and many other benefits).

Also, despite its size, Microsoft is a fairly agile company. The decisions that senior management makes are usually rational. And there are very few companies that have as much state-of-the-art technology as Microsoft does.

Unfortunately, Microsoft is a really big company, and the corporate bureaucracy is most acutely felt during review time. Review goals are often made irrelevant by changing requirements during the course of the year, and the review process is lumbering and often burdensome.

Your career advancement and opportunities are often determined more by the subjective opinions of ill-informed managers than by merit and objective facts. If you have a good relationship with a good manager, you'll probably go far in your career. If you have a mediocre manager or one with whom you have a strained relationship, you should switch groups or leave the company ASAP. It's easier to advance your career outside of Microsoft than inside of it.

The stock-based compensation (options, grants, and ESPP) isn't anywhere near what it was during the 1990s, and the base salary hasn't made up the difference.

Most products at Microsoft are competitive with industry leaders. Microsoft's current inability to be competitive with internet applications leaders (Firefox & Google) and mobile phone & music devices (Apple) is a concern.

The stack rank review process is counterproductive, but it's unlikely MS will ever change to something more equitable.