I don’t know a SINGLE former Automattician – whether they quit or got the sack – who has anything good to say about this company. NOT ONE. I’m sure there are some folks (possibly the ones who boomeranged), but I don’t know a single one who shares a positive view.
When the majority of ex-employees (again, amongst my mates 100% of them) share the same negative experience, that’s not bad luck or “poor culture fit” – that’s systemic failure. But here’s the hard truth: I’m sure the majority of current employees feel exactly the same way. I had a proper chat with many of them. Most of my former teammates said the same.
They just can’t say it publicly because they need the wage or they’re terrified of retaliation. The golden handcuffs are real, and speaking up means putting your head above the parapet and risking everything.
The only difference between ex-employees and current employees is that one group can finally tell the truth without catching any grief for it.