Microsoft works slam CEO Satya Nadella’s ‘landmark’ year claim
Angry Microsoft Employees Blast CEO Satya Nadella Over Message Celebrating “Landmark Year”
Microsoft employees are reportedly upset with CEO Satya Nadella after he shared a message praising a “landmark year” at the company, despite recent layoffs, withholding salary raises, and a struggling $69 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard. According to Insider, Nadella shared the message on Microsoft’s internal message boards on Thursday, the last day of the company’s fiscal year 2023. In the post, Nadella expressed his appreciation for the hard work of employees and touted their innovation and creativity.
However, discontent is growing among Microsoft employees who have been unhappy with the company’s cost-cutting measures. In May, it was announced that full-time employees would not receive salary hikes this year, and there have been reports of reductions in bonuses and stock awards. Some employees expressed their frustration with the situation, with one worker receiving over 250 upvotes for saying that “a good way to show gratitude is to unfreeze pay raises.” Another employee criticized the decision, stating that employees were taking pay cuts while the company and its leadership made record profits.
The situation at Microsoft is further complicated by an impending ruling from a federal judge on the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to block Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. If an injunction is granted, it could potentially derail the deal entirely. These developments have fueled discord and dissent among Microsoft employees.
While there was some positive feedback to Nadella’s message, approximately half of the 130 comments written by employees were negative, according to Insider. The Post has reached out to Microsoft for comment. The company, which has a global workforce of over 200,000 employees, has seen its shares reach record highs this year, driven by investor optimism surrounding its investment in ChatGPT creator OpenAI. Since January, Microsoft’s stock has risen by more than 42%.
In April, Microsoft CFO Amy Hood predicted that the company would generate $54.85 billion to $55.85 billion in revenue for its final quarter of 2023. However, a leaked internal survey obtained by Insider earlier this month revealed that only 47% of Microsoft employees would choose to stay with the company if they received a comparable offer from a rival firm.
It’s not just Microsoft facing employee pushback. Google employees have criticized the company’s plan to monitor employee badge swipes as part of its return-to-office strategy, while workers at Amazon recently staged a major walkout in protest of the company’s office attendance requirements and climate policies.
FAQs:
Q: What message did Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella share with employees?
A: Nadella shared a message celebrating a “landmark year” at Microsoft and expressing his appreciation for the hard work and innovation of employees.
Q: Why are Microsoft employees upset with Nadella?
A: Employees are unhappy due to recent layoffs, the withholding of salary raises, and a struggling acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard.
Q: What cost-cutting measures has Microsoft implemented?
A: The company has announced that full-time employees will not receive salary hikes this year, and there have been reductions in bonuses and stock awards.
Q: What is the status of Microsoft’s acquisition deal with Activision Blizzard?
A: A federal judge is expected to rule on the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to block the acquisition soon, and an injunction could potentially derail the deal.
Q: How have Microsoft employees expressed their discontent?
A: Some employees have criticized the decision to cut salaries and bonuses while the company and its leadership make record profits. Negative comments were also posted on Microsoft’s internal message boards.
Q: What is the impact on Microsoft’s stock?
A: Microsoft’s shares have reached record highs this year, with a rise of over 42% since January.
Q: How did Google and Amazon employees express their grievances?
A: Google employees criticized the company’s plan to monitor employee badge swipes as part of its return-to-office strategy, while Amazon workers staged a major walkout in protest of office attendance requirements and climate policies.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s claim of a ‘landmark’ year slammed by critics
Angry Microsoft Employees Blast CEO Satya Nadella Despite Company’s Turbulent Year: Report
In a surprising turn of events, numerous Microsoft employees unleashed their frustration towards CEO Satya Nadella on Thursday following his message celebrating what he deemed a “landmark year” for the tech giant. This comes amid budget cuts resulting in withheld raises, the announcement of 10,000 layoffs in January, and ongoing efforts to salvage a $69 billion deal with Activision Blizzard.
Nadella had shared his message on Microsoft’s internal message boards, coinciding with the end of the company’s 2023 fiscal year. “As we approach the end of FY23, I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone working hard across the company for a strong close,” Nadella wrote. “The innovation and creativity you continue to show have made this a landmark year not just for Microsoft, but for our customers, partners, and communities around the world,” he added optimistically.
However, the positive tone of Nadella’s message contradicted the discord brewing among Microsoft employees, who have been increasingly discontented with the company’s cost-cutting measures. Earlier this year, it was announced that full-time employees would not receive salary increases, and reports suggest the company has also reduced bonuses and stock awards. The discontent was evident in the response to Nadella’s message, with one employee sarcastically noting that “a good way to show gratitude is to unfreeze pay raises.”
The imminent ruling of a federal judge on the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to block Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has further added to the turmoil. If the judge grants an injunction, the deal could be in jeopardy. As frustrations continue to mount, employees expressed their disappointment with top Microsoft executives, who are millionaires, making decisions that lead to pay cuts for the workforce while record profits are reported.
Despite the negative sentiment among some employees, the majority of the responses to Nadella’s message were positive. However, roughly half of the 130 comments written by employees expressed dissatisfaction. The Washington Post has reached out to Microsoft for comment. With a global workforce of over 200,000 employees, Microsoft’s situation reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, with employees at Google and Amazon expressing their concerns and pushing back against management decisions.
Amidst these challenges, Microsoft’s stock has soared to a record high this year, driven by investor confidence in the company’s investment in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. Since January, Microsoft shares have risen by more than 42%.
In April, Microsoft’s CFO Amy Hood projected revenue between $54.85 billion and $55.85 billion for the company’s final quarter of 2023. Additionally, a leaked internal survey obtained by Insider in recent weeks revealed that only 47% of Microsoft employees would stay with the company if presented with a similar offer from a competitor.
While Microsoft grapples with disenchanted employees, it is not alone in experiencing this pushback. Google employees have criticized the company’s plans to track employee badge swipes as part of its return-to-office initiative. At Amazon, workers recently staged a significant walkout in protest of the company’s requirements for in-office attendance and its climate policies.
Despite the challenges, Microsoft remains focused on addressing the concerns of its employees and navigating this difficult period in the tech industry.