[mji]

In my experience it is the same at Google but not at all at Microsoft.

I think the specifics of each company’s performance review system have a lot to do with it. At google the level definitions are so prescriptive that it is like a checklist to get good ratings and promotions, and doesn’t leave much room for people to do good work in ways that are unique to them. At Microsoft you do not receive a formal rating, and the level definitions are very vague and mostly come down to just doing well at whatever your team needs at least at lower levels.

[darknavi]

Every time I think about leaving Microsoft for a higher paying FAANG job, I think about our teams general chill work schedule and lax time off. Really hard to give that stuff up, even for tons of money.

[nixgeek]

You definitely are rated at Microsoft on “Impact” annually, and this has an impact on your compensation.