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He's trading practically 0 money (actually might be paid more in his next job if he selects one with a bit less growth potential) for a lot of virtue signaling

by tomp 6y ago

He's trading practically 0 money (actually might be paid more in his next job if he selects one with a bit less growth potential) for a lot of virtue signaling value. I mean nothing evil, but not that admirable and altruistic. Real good deeds aren't announced.

thinkharderdev 6y ago
That seems precisely wrong to me. It's not about the individual scoring some sort of "virtue points", it's about spurring change. He could certainly just quit and not tell anyone but that would sort of defeat the purpose. It's not like Facebook is really going to miss any one engineer. But if their employees start to leave en masse then they will absolutely notice and try to deal with it.
jakelazaroff 6y ago
Literally every single thing anyone does publicly is "virtue signalling". The hope is that by publishing this he may inspire other employees to do the same.
klyrs 6y ago
> Real good deeds aren't announced. Public announcements of resignation have two impacts: on fellow employees, and on the employer. Fellow employees may be waiting for validation of a sinking feeling that they're in the wrong place, before they quit themselves. When the employer sees numerous conscience quits in response to a bad action, they have an opportunity to reflect and change.
bastawhiz 6y ago
I strongly disagree. Quitting your job is just about the most disruptive thing you can do in terms of the effect it has on your own life. Some folks might have an easier time finding another job than others, but that doesn't change the fact that he's actively choosing to stop creating value for an organization that his morals don't align with. And additionally, quitting your job on moral grounds is _absolutely_ something you should post about. He made a personal post on Facebook, as a current Facebook employee, noting that he's leaving. This will be seen by his coworkers, and as the very presence on HN demonstrates, the public at large. Virtue signaling is Old Navy changing their profile picture to a rainbow flag during Pride month, or an NFL team posting a black rectangle on Instagram to support BLM. Virtue signaling is _not_ quitting your job to protest your employer's ethical failings, or writing content that would violate a non-disparagement agreement.
fullshark 6y ago
He's taking on job uncertainty during a pandemic where SWEs are getting laid off left and right. In the long run will he get paid the same or more? Possibly. But I'd guess he's not the only person who thinks this way within FB and a lot of employees aren't going to do this. There is a legit cost here.

by tomp 6y ago

thinkharderdev 6y ago

That seems precisely wrong to me. It's not about the individual scoring some sort of "virtue points", it's about spurring change. He could certainly just quit and not tell anyone but that would sort of defeat the purpose. It's not like Facebook is really going to miss any one engineer. But if their employees start to leave en masse then they will absolutely notice and try to deal with it.

jakelazaroff 6y ago

Literally every single thing anyone does publicly is "virtue signalling". The hope is that by publishing this he may inspire other employees to do the same.

klyrs 6y ago

> Real good deeds aren't announced. Public announcements of resignation have two impacts: on fellow employees, and on the employer. Fellow employees may be waiting for validation of a sinking feeling that they're in the wrong place, before they quit themselves. When the employer sees numerous conscience quits in response to a bad action, they have an opportunity to reflect and change.

bastawhiz 6y ago

I strongly disagree. Quitting your job is just about the most disruptive thing you can do in terms of the effect it has on your own life. Some folks might have an easier time finding another job than others, but that doesn't change the fact that he's actively choosing to stop creating value for an organization that his morals don't align with. And additionally, quitting your job on moral grounds is _absolutely_ something you should post about. He made a personal post on Facebook, as a current Facebook employee, noting that he's leaving. This will be seen by his coworkers, and as the very presence on HN demonstrates, the public at large. Virtue signaling is Old Navy changing their profile picture to a rainbow flag during Pride month, or an NFL team posting a black rectangle on Instagram to support BLM. Virtue signaling is _not_ quitting your job to protest your employer's ethical failings, or writing content that would violate a non-disparagement agreement.

fullshark 6y ago

He's taking on job uncertainty during a pandemic where SWEs are getting laid off left and right. In the long run will he get paid the same or more? Possibly. But I'd guess he's not the only person who thinks this way within FB and a lot of employees aren't going to do this. There is a legit cost here.