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In a huge way, this person's post seems true - from what I've seen being a software engineer for twenty years, many tech companies (especially those in the Bay

In a huge way, this person's post seems true - from what I've seen being a software engineer for twenty years, many tech companies (especially those in the Bay Area) are fast paced, demanding, and stressful, even for experienced developers. It's often an unforgiving environment where you either perform or are let go - personally have had my own equal share of victories and massive failures - And as for abuse, have had some true horror stories (a senior dev who would actively and openly attack my work at every chance they got during large meetings for months on end). But... ... At the same time, this is somewhat universal to most (not all) companies to some degree, especially tech. And the more important the work, the more stressful the environment often is. Could be way off on this, but just my impression is that since they are a newly graduated PhD working at their first job, am wondering if the shock of that first position (which was also at Apple, who is known to be very demanding), was a bit too much to handle - and if you also have a bad lead, you're in for real trouble. Apologies to this person as I wasn't there and have no real idea on what happened, but the workplace is a tough environment more often than not. Know this only an estimate, but in my humble opinion, Glassdoor is generally in the right ballpark when it comes to a company's actual culture (how it treats its people), and 4.2 for Apple is really good - did a contract job at Stubhub a few years back, which when I worked there was a 2.8 (it's now a 3.3). And yeah, it was really that bad. The politics and scapegoating were the most intense I've ever seen (got caught up on the wrong side of this majorly myself. Felt like I was in one of those targets at those Carnival games where people line up to take shots at you). Yeah, and tech is ruthless but, as another person said, typically in the Bay Area it usually isn't abusive about it. In the socially aware Bay-Area, they often won't tell you directly that they have an issue with you like they do on the East Coast, but through silence and innuendo - you'll feel it before they actually tell you they're not happy. And sorry to hear about this person's visa issues, the stress this has caused my foreign friends is immense. Hope they're okay!

KaiserPro 6y ago
> ... At the same time, this is somewhat universal to most (not all) companies to some degree, especially tech. And the more important the work, the more stressful the environment often is. There is tough love, there is pressured work environment, however this is none of that. Even if half of this is made up or exaggerated, its out and out bullying. it is your responsibility as a work colleague to put a stop to this sort of stuff. I have been bullied and I'm never standing for it again. So if I see shit like this happen near me, they fucking know about it. The most important thing you need to remember is this: just because they are big company it doesn't mean they can treat you like shit. Work your hours, no more, no less, use their free perks, fucking push back when they take the piss.
- computerdork 6y ago
  Yeah, wonder if that is the problem, it took me years to know how to stand up for myself. You have to be willing to walk away from a job at any moment, letting them know you're not happy (don't need to be a jerk about it, just show you don't need any job, no matter how good the company is). Because if you've got a manipulative lead and this person senses that you need or really want this job, this person will exploit you as far as they can.

KaiserPro 6y ago

> ... At the same time, this is somewhat universal to most (not all) companies to some degree, especially tech. And the more important the work, the more stressful the environment often is. There is tough love, there is pressured work environment, however this is none of that. Even if half of this is made up or exaggerated, its out and out bullying. it is your responsibility as a work colleague to put a stop to this sort of stuff. I have been bullied and I'm never standing for it again. So if I see shit like this happen near me, they fucking know about it. The most important thing you need to remember is this: just because they are big company it doesn't mean they can treat you like shit. Work your hours, no more, no less, use their free perks, fucking push back when they take the piss.

computerdork 6y ago
Yeah, wonder if that is the problem, it took me years to know how to stand up for myself. You have to be willing to walk away from a job at any moment, letting them know you're not happy (don't need to be a jerk about it, just show you don't need any job, no matter how good the company is). Because if you've got a manipulative lead and this person senses that you need or really want this job, this person will exploit you as far as they can.