Comments on: Ex-Googler tells all to Microsoft

Former Googler hired back by Microsoft reveals the dark side to working at Google

[tanoo2002]

is this real news?

I don't think this article has much of a basis. It sounds like some unnamed person who may or may not have really said those things has become the one and only authoritative source on Google's "true" work environment. I mean, c'mon - is there really a business that exists where some of its workers don't work from home (ie remote email)?

[rdoumet]

It is plain wrong to give credit to this sort of behavior

If there is something you carry and never changes between one
organization to the other, and that is your integrity. You may
evolve, but your integrity remains a constant. When I interview
for line jobs, middle management, senior management and even
when I negotiate a merger; I have always considered the choice
of words people release about theyre former employers. There is
not one perfect organization and there are bad careers in even
the most admired. But that is for one to keep, learn and go on.
The fact that CNET re-publishes and makes a splash of
something that should be banned says a lot about what they call
journalism. I would like to see for any Gizmodo, Engadget or the
Boy Genius Report -which today truly leave CNET in the dust as
far as active reporting- publishing the life of an intern at this
truly un-remarkable media Company.

[smilin:)]

Quite a high horse you have there

The guy was obviously a MS Fan. He wanted to do a startup on his own, not work against Microsoft. When he came to work for Google that's exactly what was happening and he left.

It got reported because it is interesting and provides an interesting insight into Google.

[philhardwick]

This story says more about CNET

...and its concept of journalism than it does about Microsoft and Google.

[iamsab]

Re: This story says more about Mills Luck

I think the concept of CNet journalism is great.
Ellinor Mills is just not feeling lucky!

[wylbur]

I found this useful

Really. In the sense that I live in the bay area and have never run
into shiny happy googlers out on the town, I have wondered if the
google life was not as good as it is made out to be, now I know.

[Betty Roper]

As Nelson Muntz might say...

Haw Haw, Google sucks to work at.

[microsoft slayer]

Most Startups in SV are like Google

If you can't work long hours, then Silicon Valley isn't your thing. Go back to Seattle and cry to your pappa Gates, you lazy bum!

[limefan913]

Long hours or dedication?

Many people may just be that dedicated to the cause of Google, similar to those who work startups. The company I'm working on founding involves my partner and I working our ***** of until 3AM many days at my place behind a desk programming until we pass out at a desk.

[orfeu_niko]

This is not a start-up

When you work in start-up is like going for a gold hunt. If you are lucky, you are done for life. Just like the first employees from Google done. When you are just an employee, well, it is different.

[smilin:)]

dedication like that means burnout

Work 110% !!! It's BS.

You want your employees at 100% all the time.
You don't want them at 150% most of the time then burned out, sick, less productive and otherwise running at 75% the remainder of the time.

Employees are long term investments. They are what make their company. If you own a trucking company you don't redline your rigs and keep them going without maintenance. If you own a software or media company you dont' do the same with your "brains". You take care of them.

[Commander_Spock]

Why bother to work long hours at Google....

... and at Microsoft when you can just "sue" the pants off of Google and Microsoft for being too monopolistic. Just get the "anti-trust lawyers" and the "folks at the European Commission" to go to work for you then they will have to show you all of their software "codes" for free. Ha, Ha, Ha,......

[Xtoo]

Why bother with any CORPORATION?

Very difficult for someone to sue a huge company like Google or
MS or Apple. No match to their lawyers. Besides, those
company's are great at working under the fine line of legality.

To work for huge corporations like that is like selling your soul
to the devil. If that is what you want great! Some others may not
have a choice and some people are just not entrepreneurial and
rather work for somebody.

I much rather work on my own, make good money and have the
free will to do whatever I want whenever I want with my time and
my small business. I do not like bosses neither be watched by
anyone. I am committed to my clients 100% and do work from
home at odd hours.

I understand not all people can do that. But I do know that is
possible to start from 0, yes zero, nothing, nada and become
successful. There is no corporation neither million dollar salaries
that I would accept to change the great life I have make for
myself.

[rcrusoe]

Sounds like my job

except my workday, like most network managers, usually starts around 6:00 am.

After reading the "tell all" email it makes me wonder how MS can be so much better organized and staffed, and still get their @ss kicked at every turn by Google.

[shoffmueller]

Bad Employee

A new employee bad-mouthing his old company. Not unusual, but speaks to the professional maturity of the employee. Not exactly news, though.

[rslc]

Reason why CNET is pro-Ms and anti-google

Microsoft is one of CNET's main customer and revenue source in advertisements.

Google doesn't need to advertise on CNET.

[Rants&Raves]

The counter-response

is here: http://www.phatbits.com/

[MikeDson]

He should try being a Financial Advisor...

...come in at 8 AM, leave at 10 PM (hopefully), make $20,000 a year for it, ruin your credit when you reach the point of not being able to pay your bills anymore, and not be permitted to take the vacation time you're supposedly entitled to!

A desk in the hallway at Google doesn't sound so bad!

[markokrajnc]

Microsoft's Long Hours

In 1998 I had an interview in Redmond to work for Microsoft. One of the programmers said me: "Official work hours are from 9am to 5pm. I've never came home before 7pm, but usually I come home at 9pm. Two times a week I have to come to work at 7am."

This is normal for United States and also a reason, why the divorce rate in Silicon Valley is close to 90%.

Here in Europe we can work 40 hours/week and spend the rest of time with our families.

It is about priorities. Free breakfast and free dinner at Googleplex or paid breakfast and paid dinner in warm home with your wife and children...

It's up to you to decide...

[Claire Gaeta]

What happened to Ethics and Confidentiality

What happened to the Golden Rule?

Do unto others as you would have done to you?

What point is there in breeching a confidentiality agreement by discussing topics of this nature and what do you have to gain by posting an internal memo?

It seems we need a lesson in ethics, including never burn your bridges. If someone would talk like this about one employer - what would prevent them from talking about your organization?

Don't you sign confidentiality agreements?

[rdoumet]

Yes, but that doesn't mean anything for the low standards of CNET

CNET has become CENT News. A penny a dozen enterprise chasing
the trails of other blogs who have actually surpassed them, always
citing them because they are so lost nobody cares what the hell
they report. What was the last 'news uncovering' worthy of reading.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: What happened to Ethics and Confidentiality

Wait a minute, Claire...

First, the guy said he did his best to avoid breaching any confidentiality agreements with his former employer.

Second, what would ever lead you to believe that Google practices ethics above and/or beyond any other company. If that's the way they run their business, I have no problem with people knowing about it.

After all, Google makes it's business to make information available to everybody under the sun, no matter what the consequences - just so Google sells ads and makes money, it's OK by them.

Hopefully we'll see more of them getting pegged for whey really are.

[Michael00360]

What's Googles response?

So, now that round one is over what does Google have to say about the comments. Are the comments correct in their context and are they true? If they are, why is this person telling everything about Google's work ethics anyway (not that I'm against work ethics)? What does he/she expect to gain from such a statement?

I could go on, but I think I'll stop for now.

[AliciaLW]

don't burn your bridges

We all have something negative to say about a former job, employer, boss, etc. But most of us don't allow it to become so public. Besides, what's suppostedly said about Google can be said about a lot of work places out there. So why is this newsworthy?

[loganwayne]

Welcome To America

Whats new. This is standard in America today sad to say.10 hours plus at the office and 2 to 4 hours in traffic. Family comes first here at this house, we have learned that early on from our parents. It is sad someone had to pinpoint where the story came from. I hope that Microsoft gave him the job!!(with a nice bonus)

[abh_gup]

wimper

yea, what a wimp of an employee. if u don't want to do it for somebody, don't do it. but whats to talk behind stuff, mate. it's sick n sad. you oughta be sacked. but pretty pretty your new employers ike you (maybe) n media folks glad to print it all over.