A Year of Transformation
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
The diverse range of tasks and products provides employees with a well-rounded experience and opportunities for skill development.
The company's proactive approach to language transition (language courses), evident in the allocation of resources for adaptation, highlights a commitment to employee well-being and a positive workplace culture.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
The company faces challenges in leadership communication and responsiveness, particularly during a period of restructuring and relocation. Issues include difficulties in accessing team leaders for discussions, a lack of receptivity to concerns, and limited tangible changes despite promises to address feedback. Employees express dissatisfaction with the perceived unfairness in the relocation process, especially impacting long-serving team members.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Establish transparent communication channels for company-wide announcements, ensuring that important information is disseminated simultaneously.
Cultivate a culture of recognition and appreciation for employees, particularly those contributing to helping their colleagues and addressing issues during on-call periods.
Review and refine compensation practices to address discrepancies based on negotiation skills, ensuring fairness for all employees.
Reassess work-life balance policies, especially for those on call 24/7, by considering compensation for additional responsibilities and aligning expectations with a healthy work-life balance.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
This year, the integration of another IT department into ours, coupled with a mandatory relocation to a different city, has strained trust and fairness within our organization. The sudden changes have left some employees feeling disconnected and uncertain, eroding the trust in the stability of their work environment. The mandatory relocation, especially for experienced employees, raises questions about fairness, as it seems to prioritize accommodating a larger but potentially less productive segment of the department over the well-being of longstanding staff. Rebuilding trust and fairness will require transparent communication and a thoughtful consideration of the individual impact of these restructuring decisions.
Kommunikation
While key performance metrics such as business success, revenue, and growth are regularly shared in company-wide meetings, the communication approach took a different turn with restructuring and relocation updates. Initially, these critical changes were conveyed individually to affected employees, causing delays as scheduling such one-on-one meetings proved challenging. Unfortunately, this lag resulted in the news spreading through informal channels, leading to office gossip. A more effective and transparent communication strategy would involve informing all employees simultaneously during company-wide meetings. This approach ensures that information is disseminated uniformly, reducing the potential for speculation and fostering a culture of open communication.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
The dual locations have posed a significant challenge to the cohesion among colleagues, possibly contributing to the decision to relocate and merge both sites. Additionally, the company's shift from German to English, in order to integrate new employees from the restructuring, has presented its own set of challenges. This linguistic transition has proven difficult for some existing employees, impacting communication and potentially affecting the overall camaraderie.
Furthermore, the influx of new team members brought forth a wave of ideas for code refactoring and process changes. While innovation is valuable, the extensive discussions and adjustments have led to a noticeable decrease in performance, as considerable time is now devoted to navigating and implementing these changes. Striking a balance between integrating new perspectives and maintaining a cohesive and efficient workflow is critical for sustaining a positive work environment.
Work-Life-Balance
The work-life balance policies at our company are generally supportive, with the allowance of two remote days per week and a flexible approach to approving vacation days when communicated in advance. Attending doctors' appointments, government commitments, or important errands is usually accommodated without issue.
However, a notable challenge arises for some senior developers who find themselves on call 24/7. While it's not mandatory to be the first to react to issues during scheduled on-call times, there's an underlying expectation to assist colleagues by taking on the responsibility. Unfortunately, this additional commitment is uncompensated, creating a sense of pressure to always be the first to respond, which can impact the overall work-life balance for those in this position. Finding a balance between supporting the team and ensuring fair compensation for additional responsibilities is crucial for a sustainable and equitable work environment.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
Navigating leadership challenges amid restructuring and dispersed teams has been complex. My team lead's limited presence and apparent stress compounded the difficulty. Addressing concerns about on-call and location prioritization proved challenging, with discussions marked by a lack of receptivity and defensiveness. Despite assurances, tangible changes did not materialize, fostering frustration and a perception of unaddressed concerns.
Furthermore, my efforts in onboarding and responding to issues during on-call periods went unappreciated, contributing to a sense of disconnection. A more responsive and supportive leadership approach is crucial to acknowledging and motivating team members effectively.
However, a positive shift occurred recently with the appointment of a new team lead two months ago. This change brought a welcome improvement, as the new lead demonstrated genuine appreciation for my support with onboarding new employees. This acknowledgment is a step in the right direction, emphasizing the importance of leadership responsiveness in fostering a positive and motivated team dynamic.
Interessante Aufgaben
Having dedicated many years to working with our code base, I've attained proficiency in all facets of our product. This experience has allowed me to extend my skills, including the opportunity to assist a different IT department with a project. In general, my role has encompassed a diverse range of tasks and products, contributing to a well-rounded skill set and a broad understanding of our organization's offerings.
Gleichberechtigung
We do not have any female employees in our IT department.
In terms of salary, negotiation skills wield significant influence, often impacting compensation outcomes. Unfortunately, a notable disparity exists, with shy and quiet employees typically receiving less compensation than their more assertive counterparts who negotiate regularly. This discrepancy underscores the importance of fostering an environment where all employees, regardless of their communication style, have an equal opportunity for fair compensation.
Umgang mit älteren Kollegen
Our IT department predominantly consists of younger employees, contributing to a dynamic and energetic atmosphere. Despite the age difference, I believe older employees are treated fairly. However, concerns arise regarding the fairness of the relocation, particularly for those who have been with the company for an extended period. The impact of such changes on long-serving employees raises questions about equity and consideration for their dedicated contributions to the organization over the years.
Arbeitsbedingungen
The office environment and equipment have been excellent, with a yearly budget allocated for enhancing our workspace, such as adding recreational items like table tennis and a dart board. Additionally, we have consistently enjoyed access to high-quality equipment, including ultra-wide curved displays.
However, a recent change has required us to switch to MacBooks and use macOS. While these changes represent a shift in our accustomed technology, the impact on productivity and the overall work experience was initially a notable adjustment for the company. Despite the change in operating systems, the well-equipped office space continues to foster a positive and collaborative working environment.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
Salary outcomes hinge significantly on negotiation skills; adept negotiators often secure compensation above the market average, while those less skilled may receive salaries that are merely average or below average. The ability to effectively negotiate proves to be a crucial factor in determining one's earning potential within the organization.
Image
Recent events, including relocation and restructuring, have cast a shadow on the company's image, leading to perceptions of untrustworthiness and an unsafe working environment. Numerous employees have expressed their reluctance to recommend the company to friends, underscoring the challenges the organization faces in rebuilding its reputation and instilling confidence among its workforce.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
This company offers promising career development opportunities, allowing employees to progress into technical lead or team lead roles. The organization actively supports professional growth by encouraging participation in company-sponsored seminars and courses. Additionally, employees are empowered to expand their skill sets through external courses from reputable sources, with the company covering the associated costs. This commitment to continuous learning contributes to a dynamic and forward-thinking professional environment.