In Need of Advice

Oct 15, 2017 24 Comments

Question for the tech veterans on Blind. I'm in a situation where I have 7 figures in equity and a salary that crushes most other tech companies. The area I live in is terrific, but there's one big problem: work.

I've worked at a handful of companies previously and have never had an experience quite like I have here. I'm severely under utilized; bizarre given the details in the first paragraph. I'm not learning. I voiced my concerns to management and ever since it seems like I'm target practice for management. Prior to raising this concern, I received regular praise about how great I was doing. Now it has turned into a super toxic mess with near-daily back stabbing and comments that suggest I am going to be on the chopping block.

If I'm honest, I'm unhappier than I've ever been. I struggle to hold it together on a daily basis, but I know if I try to stick it out I may have the ability to attain financial freedom much sooner than most. This is assuming that I don't get cut before then.

Does anyone have any advice? I've never experienced such a toxic environment. I can't remember the last time I had a good day. I've never felt so under utilized and mistreated. If I go anywhere else I'm certain I'll experience a substantive pay reduction (RE: multiples less).

TLDR; severely unhappy. Underutilized. Raised concerns. Now I'm a target. Great pay and have no idea what to do.

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TOP 24 Comments
  • Microsoft
    ImAMac

    Go to company page Microsoft

    BIO
    This is my bio.
    ImAMac
    Your happiness and peace of mind is likely worth more than the comp difference. Only you can answer this though.
    Oct 15, 2017 0
  • Google
    blikum

    Go to company page Google

    blikum
    What's the price tag on your happiness? I know mine, and I left.
    Oct 15, 2017 3
    • OP
      You left Snap too or different start up? I think what I am realizing is that we (tech workers) are gonna be alright no matter what. The money is just a big ass carrot that makes you act crazy. At least for me!
      Oct 15, 2017
    • Google
      blikum

      Go to company page Google

      blikum
      No, not Snapchat, but another start-up with seven digit unvested equity, lots of back stabbing, uninteresting work, little opportunity for growth.
      Oct 15, 2017
  • Is this normal at snap?
    Oct 15, 2017 0
  • Oracle / Eng
    ClouDev

    Go to company page Oracle Eng

    ClouDev
    Bite the bullet and stay. Long term gains are better than short term happiness (I.e. you’ll have the freedom to retire).

    Also, in the scope of time, who knows, perhaps in 5-6 months management will warm up to you again? Maybe they’ll move? Or you can move after 12mo (to a different team).

    Either way, I’d take early retirement and picking up garbage instead of working to 65 w/golden shackles.

    P.S.
    TL;DR is usually at the top before the TL post 😜
    Oct 15, 2017 2
    • OP
      Does it change anything if I can guarantee underutilization to the point of skills deteriorating to an unusable state the entire time?
      Oct 15, 2017
    • Oracle / Eng
      ClouDev

      Go to company page Oracle Eng

      ClouDev
      Find a side project?! Start taking interest at other teams, and see where you can contribute.

      Don’t forget that as time pass their attitude towards you might change or you’ll be able to find a new interesting project. In the grand scheme of things 6mo here or there won’t make a difference, hence better stay a bit longer to assess.

      If there is one thing I learned is that corporations have very short memory. It’s what you can do for me today mentality (for most).
      Oct 15, 2017
  • Amazon
    Draw

    Go to company page Amazon

    Draw
    Veteran here, don’t stay in an unhappy situation for money. If you can improve happiness a lot with a change then I would suggest doing that. Money much beyond having the basics covered doesn’t mean much. For example, if I could make 100K more but not like my job as much I would turn it down without much thought. Yes, that’s a lot of money to most people but it just wouldn’t change my life much.
    Oct 15, 2017 4
    • OP
      I am afraid of doing this. My organization's HR contact has been heavily involved in this process and he/she seems out for blood. I worry that if I switch I will be hunted there too. I could try, but I'd have to surrender other opportunities potentially.
      Oct 15, 2017
    • Amazon
      Draw

      Go to company page Amazon

      Draw
      My priority is to love what I do and enjoy the people I work with. When I haven’t had that I worked really hard to change the situation. Long term, that approach ended up being the best from a financial perspective. If I’m not happy today then I’m looking to make a change.

      The amount of money I made when I was unhappy was not the reason for my unhappiness. That gave me the freedom to make a change and the only thing I made sure of was that the compensation would meet my needs.

      If financial freedom as soon as possible is your goal, then the equation for what you will put up with is different than mine. Nothing wrong with that.

      The last time I switched due to unhappiness resulted in me more than doubling my annual compensation, so there is that.
      Oct 16, 2017