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Ever wondered what it's like working for Microsoft? Leaked survey shines a light on how those at the code coalface feel

Lowest scoring sections were 'performance' and 'deal', but it looks like it could be a lot worse

You aren't the only one feeling like you're giving more than you're getting from your employer – a chunk of Microsofties are of the same opinion.

A leaked employee survey seen by Business Insider gives an insight into what it is like to toil within the walls of Redmond.

Microsoft itself did not wish to comment on the poll, it being leaked and all, but the company conducts such surveys annually.

In this case nearly 132,000 out of a total of 149,000 staffers responded to the "MS Poll", and while many seemed generally happy with how things were going on the inclusion and "work group health" front, categories such as "performance" and "deal" scored 66 and 73 per cent favourable responses respectively. According to BI, "deal" appeared to include a question along the lines of "I have a good deal at Microsoft."

We're assuming "performance" does not refer to the company's products.

Microsoft is notable for paying attention to its employees nowadays. Its infamous Political Action Committee came under fire back in 2019 and earlier this year it suspended donations to politicians who supported attempts to overturn the 2020 US presidential election.

Sadly, its caring and sharing did not extend to deals done with some US government agencies. An open letter asking the company to stop working with the US Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agency was met with short shrift by CEO Satya Nadella, who insisted Microsoft just supported legacy email and document systems. So that was OK then.

More recently, the deal done with the US military over the HoloLens headset has been met with disquiet.

A glance at social media does show that many of the company's employees are happy to speak out on issues that some within Microsoft might find a bit troubling, indicating that things are a good deal healthier than at some of its rivals, a few of whom are helmed by characters likely to strike fear rather than turn an ear.

Unfortunately, it seems those rivals might also have better deals on offer. In a competitive marketplace, being a lovely place to work needs to be balanced by rewards for effort. ®

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