Company: Microsoft
Date: 2014-05-24
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Junior

Great for settling down
Pros: Microsoft Dublin is much different from Microsoft in Redmond. In Dublin, atmosphere is much calmer and it's great for families and people who don't want to have high pressure at work and advance slowly in their careers. They say it's impossible to get you fired. You do your job and you'll get promoted. Work hours are usually 9-18, but you're not paid for overtime. You can come and leave the office at any time. For less than three days sickness, you don't have to provide any kind of medical proof. You can work from home couple of days every month. There are many social activities you can participate, most of them for free, others with high discount.
Cons: Advancing is slow and if you end up in the wrong team, you won't advance fast. Salaries could also be bigger. Compared to Redmond where you can, when you're relocating to Dublin, you can't exchange Relocation Goods (Temporary Housing, Car rental, etc.) for cash. You can't feel the real Microsoft loyalty and spirit. You're allowed to have your Android/iOS phones and tablets and no one will tell you anything or look you wrong. It looks disrespectful for the company that's giving you your salary.