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Overall very good. However, I see that things are sliding

Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) II
Current Employee
Has worked at Microsoft for less than 1 year
March 22, 2011
Redmond, Washington
4.0
Doesn't RecommendDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

Work-life balance is a keystone for management to base decisions on (family comes first).

Able to work from home when needed.

Company-paid bus service is available to full-time employees to get you into work.

When I was hired, the relocation package was gold star: a full pack and move without having to pay a dime.

Engineering process is truly an all-hands exercise, driven by everybody on the team who has feedback.

Cons

Health care is now on par with other companies rather than being a gold-plated standard (you better be single and healthy, or starting in 2013 you will pay out of pocket).

Midyear review process is meh... Twice now I've gotten conflicting feedback, and end-of-year reviews in my product team are decided prior to any employee feedback.

Constant battle of having to "herd cats" with upper management and controlling their expectations versus what your product actually does.

Unfortunately, the Puget Sound area has a higher cost of living when compared elsewhere, and housing is hideously expensive.

Advice to Management

Gutting the health care program is only going to cause a hemorrhage of capable employees who happen to also have families, and to make future candidates look elsewhere.

Further, when presenting cuts to benefits, be up front about it and call it a benefit cut. Do not try to spin it to make it look like a positive thing. This only comes off as highly insulting to the employees, and will only further alienate them.

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