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Mental health impacts of a big tech job

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Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#71

Post by matwood »

dcolkitt wrote: post #51
mathgladiator wrote: post #2

So, recently I achieved happiness because I just don't care about the job anymore. I didn't even do my performance self review, and I wrote a poem instead. I got a Meets-Most, and I've never been happier. I'm writing my final proposal as one final swing at the bat and the title is "XYZ or Bust" where either I get buy-in or I'm leaving. I've never felt better in my entire career. This is made possible because I'm old…

“Notice you’ve been missing a lot of work recently, Peter?” “Well, I wouldn’t say I’ve been missing it, Bob.”

“It’s not that I’m lazy, I just don’t care.”

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#72

Post by KingMachiavelli »

> The build server needed to be rebooted, but this was during the pandemic when no one was in the office. Furthermore, it was a Friday making it even more unlikely someone was around to do something as simple as press a button to reboot a machine.

WTF? Why is a company like Apple using one off machines for release builds? That should all be on a VM and a server with a management interface. I made that mistake once and won't make it again.

It can take some time to adjust to feeling like you are always at work but IMO it also feels like I'm never at work. I work 40+ hours and respond to things off hours but I don't have to deal with the hour or so of wasted time and typical office annoyances.

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#73

Post by Cyph0n »

ggregoire wrote: post #66
yodsanklai wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A friend of mine is a pilot on long flights. He said that the great thing about his job is that he can totally switch off from work as soon as he leaves the plane. Feels like the best of both world. High paid job without the stress.

For the other curious: https://epicflightacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/maj... https://epicflightacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/car... It's way higher than what I expected.

I could be mistaken, but I recall reading that there are quite a few hoops to jump through before you can fly for the big boys. For example, you would typically start with shorter/less important routes on smaller airlines. Also, the pilot unions keep the good routes (and salaries) for the more senior pilots, so tenure plays a big part in how much you get paid.

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#74

Post by romanhn »

mathgladiator wrote: post #6
chillwaves wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I didn't even do my performance self review, and I wrote a poem instead. It's not just the brazenness of the act, it's the fact you made your defiance into art that I really respect.

Here is the poem: I will not do this PSC. There is a future that I foresee. No longer shall I bend the knee to this process called PSC.

As a fellow (ex)FBer who absolutely abhorred PSC, I applaud you, sir.

As a former manager at said company, I would absolutely hate you for making my PSC hell-period even more hellish, as I would still be on the hook for delivering your packet under incredibly unrealistic timelines. Won't somebody think of the managers! ;)

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#76

Post by romanhn »

georgeburdell wrote: post #43

This seems like mostly an Apple problem. I have not heard similar issues with Google and Facebook (I don't know anyone in the other "A" or the "N")

Facebook is absolutely well-known for its terrible work-life balance, borne out of high expectations and a high percentage of overachievers.

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#77

Post by ctvo »

From personal experience:

The stress of dealing with an organization with the wrong culture, and you having to clean up the messes made, with no agency for meaningful change due to leadership is something most folks with some years in this industry have experienced regardless of the size of the company.

At a tech giant the salary removes even more agency. Near a vest date? Most likely not leaving until after. It's an awful feeling to show up for work, having enough professional pride that you continue to perform, but knowing you want to be anywhere but there.

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#78

Post by wanderer2323 »

romanhn wrote: post #74
mathgladiator wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here is the poem: I will not do this PSC. There is a future that I foresee. No longer shall I bend the knee to this process called PSC.

As a fellow (ex)FBer who absolutely abhorred PSC, I applaud you, sir. As a former manager at said company, I would absolutely hate you for making my PSC hell-period even more hellish, as I would still be on the hook for delivering your packet under incredibly unrealistic timelines. Won't somebody think of the managers! ;)

Every time I think that I don't want to do my optional self-review I decide to do it anyway -- because I want to make my manager's life easier.

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#79

Post by ctvo »

thethethethe wrote: post #16

Not really my experience at Google tbh. I've been at Google for a little under 4 years and been promoted twice but only work about 4 hours a day. Sometimes I don't do shit for weeks at a time and things seem to pan out ok. I'm not trying to humble brag that I'm 10x or anything--im not, I'm a B grade engineer at best. Sure it can be stressful sometimes, but I'd say that 80% of the time it's really chill.

You're not bragging, but perhaps you're a match for the culture? Your communication skills are better than your colleagues? You collaborate better across teams, and get more done? You're better at planning, and delegating?

I'm trying to say that you being promoted twice and not being an excellent engineer doesn't mean it's easy. You may have other traits that allow you to excel in that environment. The level distribution by itself says that being promoted twice in 3-4 years, with a significant bump in pay each time, isn't the norm.

Re: Mental health impacts of a big tech job

#80

Post by KKKKkkkk1 »

Ironically enough, Apple had an employee assistance program that allowed me to have 15 therapy sessions per year. I used all 15 of them over a 16 week period. What I learned in therapy was a lot of coping mechanisms.

If you use EAP, you give up your right to privacy (in practice if not in law) and damage any chances you have for finding legal recourse.

“If a potential client called me and said: ‘I’m being harassed at work, I feel really stressed and anxious. Do you think I should use my company’s E.A.P.?’” Ms. Mizrahi said, “I would advise them against it.” [0]

[0] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/us/google-workplace-compl... https://archive.is/VKXEU

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