I was part of the recent layoff at Dropbox. I can say that they went above and beyond with the severance package, returning laptops. They allowed us to say goodbye to our coworkers, and there was no immediate revocation of badge or computer access. The culture at Dropbox was one of the best, and they genuinely cared for each one of us. The Virtual First approach provided a great toolbox to keep everyone well connected. Most people were accountable for their actions. But…. The head of QE changed the way we engaged with the teams we supported. New QE/SDET roles were created, and the Sprite season arrived. Dropbox redefined the ratings based on impact. Even if we met the goals/impact, the head of QE punished everyone by lowering our ratings, which had an impact on our bonuses. Morale was at its worst. People left, and some required therapy to overcome the traumatic layoffs. Before the layoff, the head of QE favored certain individuals, gave them good ratings, and moved them to her own team. Furthermore, she received the top rating of 4 for making us miserable and for the failure of the QE department. Dropbox eliminated the QE role. To protect her favorites, they were magically converted from QE to Software Developers and Engineering Managers. Some of them don't even know how to code!! Shady, shady!! You are a public company that have managers doing favoritism?? Head of QE Department did not "Own It". Why she was not accountable of the failure? Not even an apology? Because of certain individuals, Dropbox is not worthy of my trust anymore. Also, do not change the rating mechanism 4 weeks before review cycle. It was unfair that move to pay less in bonuses. In addition, stop preventing the people exercise their freedom of speech by flagging posts in Blind to be removed. Dropbox, you really have to perform those actions to avoid people knowing the truth?
How does she have a job, she basically eliminated all QA at Dropbox. With no recommendation for how QA should be done post layoffs.
It’s called politics and knowing how to manipulate things into your favor. Her boss (who received 4 or 5 promos in 5 years, now a “senior director”) is in her pocket. Tbh both of them are a disaster, and epitomize favoritism and incompetence - yet they’re sitting comfortably at high positions while a majority of their teams are destroyed. OP is right, based on my observations.
Quality post
There are goons like that. Mostly seen at small companies but looks like no company is immune
You seriously think this shit isn't happening somewhere at Google? The goons at the Goog' are just better at it.
Complaints from a laid off employee hold little merit.
Maybe Workday will have some layoffs soon! They need to cut the fat.
Would generally agree but getting rid of all the QEs seems odd.
QE should be converted to SDET only. SWE is questionable
✨ImPAcT✨ is a buzzword these days used by these tech companies in the name of quiet firing. I won’t be surprised that some consulting firm comes up with it and sells it to these execs
TL;DR summary : Dropbox is a good company. But one individual is bad. So Dropbox is a bad company. Got it
OP did not say it that dropbox is bad company. Many still love the company and worry and care that people like one mentioned will hurt the image of dropbox.
News flash: Terrible people exist in the Software Space. They are political, inexperienced and play favorites, lack experience.
As long as her boss (who is also super sneaky and political) is cool about it, she’ll get away with it. Maybe Drew will wake up to reality and do something about it! I’ve heard from others what OP said. It’s a shame :(
Drew should know one thing that direct report reviews is bs. If no unonimous feedback taken or accounted from skip level his company will sink faster than titanic soon. A lot of random people being hired and damage company. Agree about comment since I suspected the same.
*skip 2 levels
This is pretty common . Salesforce did the same thing few years back .
You have shared so much. Do share the name of this QE head
Google it or check linkedin. Person all about equality on public space. Yet, fails to deliver.