For most of its three decades, Microsoft has faced intense criticism. But in the past it came from the outside world. Rivals complained about its heavy-handed tactics. PC makers griped that it was hogging the industry’s profits.
Now much of the sharpest criticism comes from within. Dozens of current and former employees are criticizing — in BusinessWeek interviews, court testimony, and personal blogs — the way the company operates internally. This spring two researchers sent Chairman William H. Gates III a memo in which they wrote: “Everyone sees a crisis is imminent” and suggested “Ten Crazy Ideas to Shake Up Microsoft.” Many workers, like Lee, are in effect saying: “I’m outta here.” More than 100 former Microsofties now work for Google, and dozens of others have scattered elsewhere.
It’s not a mass exodus. Microsoft has 60,000 employees, and many of them are undoubtedly happy with their jobs and the company’s culture.
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