A leaked internal poll has revealed a significant drop in confidence among Microsoft employees towards the company's leadership. The poll results, which Business Insider shared, indicate a growing dissatisfaction among the workforce.
Declining Confidence in Microsoft as a Workplace
The poll results highlight a decline in the perception of Microsoft as a desirable place to work. When asked whether working at Microsoft was a good idea, 69% of respondents responded negatively, a 4% increase from the previous year. In 2021, 73% of employees considered it a great opportunity to work at Microsoft. This shift in sentiment suggests a growing discontent among the workforce.
The data further revealed that compensation was a primary concern among employees. Earlier this year, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella announced that Microsoft would cut 10,000 jobs by the end of FY23 Q3. This decision was attributed to a different economic reality, with a significant reduction in spending post the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the layoffs, Microsoft also announced that employees would not receive a pay raise this year, citing tough economic conditions.
In a subsequent daily poll regarding employees' willingness to remain at Microsoft if offered a better opportunity elsewhere, less than half of the respondents expressed intent to stay with the company. This indicates a potential issue with employee retention that the company may need to address.
These decisions have negatively affected the employees' performance index and morale, leading to mixed emotions over the company and its leadership. Employees questioned the discrepancy between their concerns and the company's decision, leading to further dissatisfaction.
Adding to the concerns, Microsoft discontinued its annual employee “Employee Signals” poll where employees could share their thoughts on the company. The absence of this platform likely contributed to the growing frustration among the workforce.
