Company: Microsoft
Date: 2016-07-29
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Senior

Politics killed it for me
Pros: Good benefits. Good for someone just entering the workforce, as long as you keep up your skills so you don't become obsolete. The review system is much better, but make no mistake--there is still stack ranking and the underlying politics that go with it.
Cons: Why I left:

* My team had 6 managers and 12 individual contributors--a 1:2 ratio. Managers had nothing to do except micromanage and then start managing each other's ICs.

* There was too much focus on the bright, shiny object that was an abject failure, and those who actually produced useful things for customers got little credit or support. Plus, we had to work harder to get things done in spite of having to waste our time on the bright, shiny object.

* Microsoft is quietly getting rid of its older workers. With each layoff, even those that are supposedly to "fix" the phone division debacle, older workers in other divisions are also laid off. They are often rehired later as a contractor at a substantially reduced rate.

* Management in my division made it very clear that any new hiring or replacements for those who quit would  not be in the US. There is talent in this country, but Microsoft isn't willing to pay for it.

* Because of the internal politics and processes, any real innovation happens due to acquisitions and mergers.

* Doing the same thing over and over again is boring. I left to preserve my skills.