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I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

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Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know what you are saying and to a large degree I agree with you. But, I will note that in my career the software I worked on helped people get health care, helped abused children find help, kept pilots and their passengers safe, and a whole lot of other worthwhile missions. So if your skill set is tech, there are opportunities out there apart from just selling more advertising.

What are some companies that pay well (not ridiculously well), offer job security and have kinda longer release plans which can foster learning, stable products, and can ensure a san work culture that respects the personal time boundaries as the default?

If I knew the answer to that, I’d probably still be working in tech ;-)

Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#93
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Paraphrasing: It doesn't matter how much shit gets piled on you, how little support you get, how stupid the deadlines are, or how bad the communication is, if you get visibly upset you lose.

I have nothing but personal anecdotes and observations to base my thoughts on here but it seems to me that this has become true of life in general. And as the OP has now learned, it's of no consolation how right you are or how justified you may be to get angry in the first place, either. You still lost.

Sometimes you just need to stop scurrying about and stand up for yourself.

Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#94
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Paraphrasing: It doesn't matter how much shit gets piled on you, how little support you get, how stupid the deadlines are, or how bad the communication is, if you get visibly upset you lose.

I have nothing but personal anecdotes and observations to base my thoughts on here but it seems to me that this has become true of life in general. And as the OP has now learned, it's of no consolation how right you are or how justified you may be to get angry in the first place, either. You still lost.

No - it's not true of life. Justified anger always serves a purpose. I can't stand this attitude of helplessness. OP should have gone full balls-to-the-walls from day one, over the head of the team leader and said exactly what happened. If you're going to get fired, at least get fired for being a loud asshole, so they have to think about what they did wrong, i.e. did we not hire a meek enough whipping boy? Should we maybe change our HR staff?

Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#96
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The funny thing is that Amazon really stresses their leadership principles and I recall one of them being "have a backbone", basically to disagree with anyone if you know you're right. I can see how he snapped over his moron manager bringing gender into things.

>> I gave my manager a piece of my mind. She brought gender into the equation and said that I couldn’t speak to a girl like that > I can see how he snapped over his moron manager bringing gender into things. he "snapped", then they "brought up gender". Since it sounds like he was fired for cause he probably called them a B!#$^ or C@!$, but who knows.

I don’t use those words at work or otherwise, but aren’t they both gender neutral as derogatory terms? At least in modern times?

Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#97

I won’t comment on whether the action is justified or not in this instance, but: Never hang up on a colleague. Ever. As far as social phone etiquette goes that’s probably one of the most egregious things you can do. Instead, humble yourself, politely disagree and document over email, copying another colleague who witnessed, or if unavailable the manager (in this case the skip).

Or: if someone is accusing you of gender based discrimination, assert that you will be hanging up ( politely ) and switch to a recorded medium, where the first thing you say is: “you accused me of , I don’t think this is fair because ”. Boom, documented.

Note: if YTA this may work against you. Either way the NTA has the documented proof they need.

Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#98
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> I gave my manager a piece of my mind. She brought gender into the equation and said that I couldn’t speak to a girl like that > I can see how he snapped over his moron manager bringing gender into things. he "snapped", then they "brought up gender". Since it sounds like he was fired for cause he probably called them a B!#$^ or C@!$, but who knows.

I don’t use those words at work or otherwise, but aren’t they both gender neutral as derogatory terms? At least in modern times?

> I don’t use those words at work or otherwise, but aren’t they both gender neutral as derogatory terms? At least in modern times?

If a new hire presents himself as a threat to your career and/or your job, you're already in hot water because your team is spiraling out of control, and you get called out in your attempt to throw someone under the bus... Would you double-down with your self-preservation shtick, or would you have a sudden change of heart regarding taking the high road and just listen to criticism as a path to growth?

Oh, you'd be desperately holding onto whatever opportunity might present itself to save your behind, even if that involves turning yourself into a inclusion champion at the expense of a sacrificial lamb. After all, who is going to fire a manager who is an inclusion spokesperson and has already been subjected first-hand to gender abuse within the company?

Re: I Got Fired from Amazon as a Software Development Engineer

#100
post #41

Sounds like so called "FAANG" companies that OP mentions have a smug sense of superiority. If you're a good engineer who wants to make a real difference in the world, then I ask why not work at different company with less technical aptitude? You can make a far greater impact solving their problems instead of trying to stand out in a technocratic cult that gaslights you and suppresses your creativity.

> "FAANG" companies that OP mentions have a smug sense of superiority. I think it is the opposite. No one is going to fire you over shipping a kludge or low quality software, especially when you document why it is the case. People get themselves into trouble by getting emotionally invested in their work and avoiding the task at hand. If someone gives you an idiotic task at Amazon, give them an idiotic solution. You a…

Doesn't work this way. When they give you shit, you either turn in gold or resign. Otherwise it will just be scapegoat firing. Seen this many times. This happen not because the company culture but individual managers that need to protect their ass while waiting fo opportunity to move before their scapegoating turn on them. That is why theyb should have implemented a 360 degree feedback/review yearly performance. Bad managers need to be rooted out at most no longer thatn 1 season of review.
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