Microsoft's Treatment of Google Defectors

Miguel de Icaza (Note, this Miguel is not the Ximian developer, just someone whose small life is fulfilled by trolling under someone else's name) writes "Here is a story revealing just how threatened Microsoft is by Google. While senior partners can expect the full chair experience, some lowly staffers who are putting in their notice are being escorted off campus immediately. Why? Because they've put in their notice to join Google. In Microsoft's eyes, Google is Enemy No. 1. Anyone leaving Redmond for the search leader is a threat. Not because they'll scurry around collecting company secrets — as if Google's interested in Microsoft's '90s-era technologies. Departing employees, however, might tell other 'Softies how much better Google is. If an employee is leaving for Amazon.com or another second-tier employer which doesn't make Microsoft so paranoid, they'll probably serve out the traditional two weeks of unproductive wrapping up. So if you're planning on leaving Microsoft for Google, pack up your belongings and say goodbye to friends ahead of time. There'll be no cake and two weeks of paid slacking for you."

No Cake? :(

[psychicsword]

There'll be no cake

And now the flood of portal jokes.

Re:Paid slacking

[psychicsword]

I would tell everyone that I am going to Google just to get the 2 week pay for doing nothing, even if I wasn't going to be working for Google.

Re:what's the big deal?

[The Second Horseman]

It's not so much a working culture. It's more like watching one of those nature documentaries where the slower and weaker animals are getting run down and eaten, or wander into quicksand and drown. If you're lucky. In some areas, it's positively Dickensian.

I HAVE IT!!!

[denzacar]

Why don't you just lie?

Like... you know... when they ask you... you tell them that you are going to work for McDonald's, or that you are dieing from AIDS or something.

My favourite would be a rare form of Ebola virus. Make sure to cough from time to time.

Wanna really make 'em think?

[jhylkema]

"My lawyer told me not to say who my new employer was."

Re:what's the big deal?

[G Fab]

ha!

Well, you have to admit she's acting like one.

Re:what's the big deal?

[dotgain]

My guess he's self employed and has split personality disorder.

Re:what's the big deal?

[Anonymous Coward]

You would rather the employees be loud?

Re:what's the big deal?

[WilliamSChips]

Have you never watched the Jetsons?

Where is the catch?

[krischik]

And there is no upper limit? No, there must be otherwise you could give 10 years notice and you could not be layed off without beeing payed for the full 10 years.

Or even better: give notice to your 65th birthday and have a job for live!

Martin

Re:what's the big deal?

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe he goes around killing SUV owners, thus offsetting his own footprint...

Re:No Cake? :(

[smegged]

To be completely honest, that's the only reason I actually read any of the comments in this thread.

Re:"Put in their notice"

[mgblst]

They can tell by the big smile on your face, and the glint of hope in your eye. These sort of signs really stand out on Microsoft Campus.