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Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

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Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#21

[removing my remark because I was likely wrong about his meaning]

I'm 99.9% sure OP the author didn't mean that people should be fired for being old. I agree that the phrasing is open to misinterpretation, but I read it as "plain-old not doing a great job"

[deleted]

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#22
post #3

A lot of interesting things here, but also the usual "billionaire complaining about all these entitled employees" vibes.

Another chapter in the book of tales from the big tech ivory tower where on some days the cake" wasn't ok but still pretty good". Fair game in a personal blog, although barely newsworthy.

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#25
post #2

"You need to be able to answer the "what have you done for our users lately" question with "not much but I got promoted" and be happy with that answer to be successful in Corp-Tech." Good quote. Although you can extend the lawyers theme out to the rest of the bureaucratic corp too.

The problem with that question: who are the real users?

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#26
post #2

"You need to be able to answer the "what have you done for our users lately" question with "not much but I got promoted" and be happy with that answer to be successful in Corp-Tech." Good quote. Although you can extend the lawyers theme out to the rest of the bureaucratic corp too.

Parts if society will pressure you to stay on the ladder rather than seeking meaning or utility.

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#27
post #20
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole thing is one red flag after another, but the biggest standout to me is the author being annoyed coworkers are taking personal days. That’s what they’re there for! When I don’t want to work, I use the benefit that lets me not work.

Try managing a team where people take last minute personal days all the time, without having to give advance notice or a reason.

[deleted]

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#28
post #20
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole thing is one red flag after another, but the biggest standout to me is the author being annoyed coworkers are taking personal days. That’s what they’re there for! When I don’t want to work, I use the benefit that lets me not work.

Try managing a team where people take last minute personal days all the time, without having to give advance notice or a reason.

Unless they interfere with scheduled meetings, I can’t see why this would bug you as a manager. Pair programming, counting hours for clients, or sprint planning are the only other things that could possibly conflict with last minute personal days. It doesn’t really seem to bug the managers at my organization if there are no calendar conflicts.

If there are calendar items that have to be rescheduled, I think the onus is on them to find an alternative time

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#29
post #20
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole thing is one red flag after another, but the biggest standout to me is the author being annoyed coworkers are taking personal days. That’s what they’re there for! When I don’t want to work, I use the benefit that lets me not work.

Try managing a team where people take last minute personal days all the time, without having to give advance notice or a reason.

> Try managing a team where people take last minute personal days all the time, without having to give advance notice or a reason.

Try getting a job where they advertise a benefit, then complain when you use it.

Re: Why did I leave Google or, why did I stay so long?

#30
post #20
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The whole thing is one red flag after another, but the biggest standout to me is the author being annoyed coworkers are taking personal days. That’s what they’re there for! When I don’t want to work, I use the benefit that lets me not work.

Try managing a team where people take last minute personal days all the time, without having to give advance notice or a reason.

If your team is hemorrhaging personal days left and right, the issue is not with personal days, but with how your team feel.
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