Microsoft reviews

Salary is very low compared to the same level for other companies. Work life balance is a complete disaster. Middle management expects too much out of you. They want you to not only achieve your goals but super exceed in every goal to get a promotion or a good bonus. Some of the middle management people are not even managers. they do not know how to manage or asess people if they are good or bad. They think that if you talk more and stay late then you are great and otherwise not. Particularly MS IT is a bad place to work.

Hyper-competitive, stressful working environment, larger groups are extremely political. If you get a bad manager, you're sunk because HR will support Microsoft managers no matter what. And make no mistake, there are plenty of bad managers, most of whom were promoted into their position because of individual excellence but who have no idea how to motivate or develop people. Microsoft says it values respectful communication but many managers get away with bullying and intimidation without repercussion, because upper managers don't even know it's happening. There is a HUGE over-reliance on e-mail and instant messaging, leading to frequent miscommunication and strained relationships.