Microsoft

Prior to 2023, the culture here was excellent. Very team-oriented, growth mindset, heavy emphasis on work-life balance and personal growth. Microsoft seemed to truly care about its employees. Plenty of perks as well, including gifts, generous bonuses, and annual raises.

They just keep taking things away. It started with the switch to "unlimited" PTO, then announcing 10,000 layoffs, then removing perks, then the most devastating blow (so far): no annual raises at all for full-time employees.

Meanwhile, we're expected to still complete work at an increased rate, with less people (because of layoffs) and for less money.

I understand that management's hands are tied here. It's really up to Satya and the SLT to make a change here. Management has been given the impossible task of motivating employees with a zero morale budget and zero incentives.

It seems like everyone (except SLT) has been put in a lose-lose position here.