Leaving Google (neugierig.org)

Article summary

The author, a 17-year Google veteran, announces their departure from the company, citing a bureaucratic mistake that led to their position being questioned. They express gratitude towards Google, but also describe it as a faceless machine that can make bad decisions. The author will be joining Figma, a company they have been following for years. They reflect on their time at Google, mentioning various projects they worked on and the opportunities they had.

Main themes

• Google bureaucracy
• employee retention
• company values
• legacy employees
• remote work
• technological innovation

What commenters say

• The author's departure from Google was likely due to a combination of factors, including bureaucratic errors and the company's evolving priorities.
• Long-term employees can become undervalued and face pressure to constantly grow and contribute, even if they have already made significant contributions.
• Google's size and bureaucracy can lead to talented employees being let go due to administrative issues rather than performance problems.
• The concept of 'legacy employees' is complex, and such employees can be valuable for their knowledge and experience, but also potentially resistant to change.
• The distinction between equity and payroll is important when considering the role of early investors versus early employees in a company's success.
• Some commenters believe that Google's priorities have shifted towards profit and growth over people and innovation, while others see the company as still being a force for good.
• The idea of replacing management with AI is seen as both a potential solution to bureaucratic problems and a potentially disastrous outcome.
• The treatment of long-term employees is seen as a reflection of a company's values and priorities, with some arguing that such employees should be valued and retained, while others see them as potentially holding back progress.