Management experience can vary significantly by department. I reported to three different managers in two years, and expectations shifted frequently as a result. Under my last manager, the environment became highly micromanaged, particularly around PTO, work-from-home flexibility, and daily availability. Communication often felt rigid and escalated quickly, even for routine scheduling matters. Flexibility was described as available but felt conditional and inconsistently applied in practice. Role clarity and project assignment were sometimes unclear, which added unnecessary stress.
