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Great peers, so-so managers, and a stifling bureaucratic culture that eats its young gleefully

Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET)
Current Employee
Has worked at Microsoft for less than 1 year
June 26, 2011
Redmond, Washington
2.0
Doesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

Gold-plated health care Decent initial pay Good benefits all-around

Cons

Pitiful raises.

Poor management feedback and awareness of individuals' contributions.

Ten percent of employees get thrown under the bus every annual review.

The review system encourages back-stabbing and discourages teamwork.

Poor work-life balance.

Some groups have sweat-shop hours.

The company seems to regard most employees as liabilities rather than assets.

Advice to Management

Overhaul the review system to encourage teamwork.

Allow visionary leaders to get stuff done and avoid excessive consensus.

Insist that managers treat the outside industry as competitors, rather than each other.

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