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My Experience at Apple

ex-apple-engineer.medium.com

101–110 of 840 posts

Re: My Experience at Apple

#101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple gets its share of critics as it has since its inception, but it also gets its share of loyalists where the rest of FANG don't. One quickly notices that in discussions there as much of a knee-jerk impulse to defend Apple, as there is to bash the company. Even your comment reveals an abrupt dismissal of the OP's testimony, impugning the character of its author.

I intended primarily to impugn their ability to tell a coherent, readable story, which is a necessary pre-condition for forming a judgment about the contents.

That's your subjective take. The author's account reads like one of a trauma survivor, and is complete with details, quotes, and bolding for emphasis. Those who refuse to consider alternate viewpoints will have made their judgements, even if they have never been on the inside. So be it. But it is absolutely reprehensible to dismiss a victim's testimony in bad faith as "barely coherent account of slights that read as a mix of real and imagined". Shame on you.

Re: My Experience at Apple

#102
post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can’t fire an employee at any time in California without good reason. You need to build a case against the employee, that’s why they were put on a PIP. Either way the manager is insane in this story so I’m not sure what their motivation is.

Not sure why you think this. You can fire anyone whenever you want for any or no reason in the state of California. The only exceptions are when you have a written or implied contract that makes you not “at-will”. The best way to be an exception to “at-will” in California is to be paid in advance.

If you’re fired without good reason or paper trail and live in California take your employer to court. They still need good cause for termination.

Re: My Experience at Apple

#103
post #23

Posting anonymously for obvious reasons. Unlike others, I actually find this story fairly believable. When I first joined Apple, straight out of college - a good program, top three in the country - I was abused similarly. I joined a team that was on a project behind schedule. Our manager was a brusque, no-nonsense sort of dude. But he clearly had anger problems. On the team were 2 senior engineers, me, and a junior e…

If this is true, it’s really sad, I’ve read the whole thing. I had an experience, not as bad as yours but I know the feeling. I really hope you will go public about this experience and share it, Apple aren’t the “virtuous” company as they pretend to be.

[deleted]

Re: My Experience at Apple

#104
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some extra tidbits that didn't make it in because the edit timer ran out: - Despite the big release and herculean efforts, both of us were paid a fraction of our target bonus. This was the day I decided to move jobs. - I eventually grew some balls and told Apple to (a) pay me 2.5x during overtime (b) hire SREs for this critical service, or (c) go fuck themselves. They chose (c), which worked alright because our servi…

I got an offer from Apple. The hiring manager told me "You worked at a startup before, you'll have no problem working overtime". I didn't end up taking the offer.

I got a similar line from a certain european video-game company.

Re: My Experience at Apple

#105

For anyone experiencing workplace harassment, this article is a great example of what not to do. Instead, document everything happening to you with evidence, speak with HR about incidents as they arise, and if they don't take action, seek legal counsel. Doing anything else will paint you in a bad light.

This person was not a US citizen, and needed to remain on the only path to a green card. Your options feel more limiting when that happens. They clearly didn't want to rattle the cage.

Re: My Experience at Apple

#106
post #17

Honestly why do people think that cannot happen at Apple ? That kind of thing can happen in any company. Apple is thousands of employees, it only requires a few bad people to create a situation like that. I'm not sure though, creating a post like that is the best thing. I don't know what exists in the US, but in France, you can sue your employer for free (You don't even need a lawyer), and if you are able to show a f…

From this and a few other random posts I've seen on Blind and Hacker News, the closed/secretive nature of Apple seems to allow it to happen more frequently than at other companies.

Apple also varies, culturally, pretty widely between departments. It's not always the case that abusive behaviour under one VP -- or good treatment under a different one! -- is extrapolate-able to other organizations.

Re: My Experience at Apple

#107
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got an offer from Apple. The hiring manager told me "You worked at a startup before, you'll have no problem working overtime". I didn't end up taking the offer.

I can only answer with LOL to such offers Yes I've worked for a startup. Yes I did long hours. Yes I learned that's not sustainable and not a good way to make things work. So, no, I won't do it again.

I never understood the supposed attraction of "just like a startup, but in a big company!". That appears to mean that you will work in a small team, putting in unsustainable hours, but not receive the financial reward that a successful startup could provide.

I've worked in several startups, and occasional death marches are unavoidable. They don't work month in and month out. But enduring that kind of life for just salary is nuts.

Re: My Experience at Apple

#110
post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some extra tidbits that didn't make it in because the edit timer ran out: - Despite the big release and herculean efforts, both of us were paid a fraction of our target bonus. This was the day I decided to move jobs. - I eventually grew some balls and told Apple to (a) pay me 2.5x during overtime (b) hire SREs for this critical service, or (c) go fuck themselves. They chose (c), which worked alright because our servi…

I got an offer from Apple. The hiring manager told me "You worked at a startup before, you'll have no problem working overtime". I didn't end up taking the offer.

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