Company: Microsoft
Date: 2014-09-30
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: former
Experience level: Senior

Previous FTE 10+ years
Pros: Good base salary with stock awards and 401k matching.
Always learning something new.
Gained lots experience in multiple roles. 
Huge discounts on MS software. 
Prime Discounts and products and services.
Cons: Work-life balance can be poor depending on your role and group you are in.  It is difficult to manage when you have multiple projects and deliverables.  You can take time off, but you will pay in terms of your deliverables and how that is reflected in your annual review.

Poor performance management system:
- Previous stack rank system was unfair to employees that have different roles, but on the same pay level (curve).  They system has changed this year, but still appears to be a ranking system that management won't disclose details.  Don't expect your manager to be much of an advocate or enabler to help you meet your career goals because they are trying to survive the stack rank as well.  I received a poor review because of this system, but can't understand how there are others who don't deserve a job at MS.  If you're not part of the "good old boy's" club, it's a career struggle.
-New performance system leaves managers and employees uncertain about how they actual rank (example:  employee review can be viewed as "meets expectations", but merit/bonus doesn't reflect that).  This will lead to poor morale and feeling less respected.

If an employee wants to move to a completely different role that is a lower level, but a better opportunity, it's frowned upon.  There is a lot of pressure to move up but it's difficult if you enjoy your current job.  MS will not retain best talent this way.  

Health benefits have declined to employee deductibles where only preventative doctor appointments are 100% covered.    

No more company meetings, employee summer picnics in North Bend (which was great for young families). 

Very political.  Management doesn't push back to leadership to what's right or makes sense according to employees and many times you don't know why a decision was made.  Very cut-throat and who can shout and whine the loudest tends to get their way.  

Limited communication from senior management down to employees.