Company: Microsoft
Date: 2014-05-21
Overall rating: 3/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Confirmed

Internal politics help lead most astray
Pros: Lots of amazing people and an exceptional product range - albeit a little confusing
Cons: Lots of horrible internal politics and people succeeding because of the politics. 
In my 6 years at MS in Singapore I saw dozens of very good people leave because of stupid politics and even dumber HR guidance. Managers that are struggling to meet some of their business KPIs will make sure they meet their "diversity" KPI so they will hire and promote certain people just to hit that target. So when the business is not doing well the system makes managers promote people for their race or gender, not their performance. The GFC wasn't a major issue in APAC but things did slow in some areas and there were plenty of under-qualified people getting jobs and recognition that shouldn't have.
I was told point blank "I would love to consider you for xxx role but I wouldn't be able to have a white male in the job. I have to hire an Asian female." That was from a VERY senior exec (ie: partner level) and he/she didn't bat an eyelid when he/she said it. I was gobsmacked!
Surprisingly it makes it very hard for the solid performers rise to the top because they are often trodden on by climbers who take credit for work that is not theirs or get discredited by others who are looking for scapegoats.