Originally Posted by chimchim

And long hours.

First off, I'll say I'm sure that MSFT (if you don't know that apprev, then you don't know about stocks) is a great company to work for; a juggernaut in it's market, successful company, lots of cash to do all sorts of things.

Each company has its own culture which creates social norms that you either adhere to or go against the grain (which is bad politics and most likely limits your career there, the "good projects", bonuses and raises, etc). For example, the s/w division always put in late hours. We know someone who felt "guilty" for going out on a Friday night because so many other people in the office work late... even on Friday.

The amazing growth in the company has created lots of rich people... and has created a culture of "rich life" meaning people feel a need to own expensive cars and aspire to "own a boat", etc.

Maybe my wife and I are a little bitter... but we personally know a woman who's husband worked at Microsoft, WA. After working long hours and weekends, (and having two kids) her husband decided he really wanted a boat. So he divorced her and left her with the kids so he could live that lifestyle.

And I'm sure to his coworkers, he's really cool for having a boat and probably inviting them on it sometimes; and just unfortunately his marriage didn't work... cuz you know, sometimes divorce happens.

I just don't understand people who sell their soul and families to a company.