Fewer Microsoft employees think they’re getting a ‘good deal,’ internal survey shows

Fewer Microsoft employees believe they are getting a “good deal” by working at the company, according to results of annual surveys .

In Microsoft’s annual poll called “Employee Signals,” 62% of employees this year answered favorably to a question about whether they get a “good deal at Microsoft (i.e. there is a reasonable balance between what I contribute to Microsoft and what I get in return).”

That’s down from 69% in last year’s poll. The 2023 survey closed before Microsoft announced it would pause raises and cut bonuses and stock awards.

The “deal at Microsoft” question has been an important one throughout the years because it’s one way the company gauges sentiment about work-life balance and compensation to make decisions for its workforce.

In 2022, a low and declining score on this question helped compel Microsoft to announce significant pay raises across its workforce to address growing dissatisfaction with compensation and stop employees from leaving to competitors including Amazon.

The economy started to cool shortly after that announcement. Microsoft followed through with the raises, but some employees felt they were underwhelming.

Significant layoffs followed at Microsoft and across the industry. By 2023, the company stopped salary raises and cut its budget for stock and bonuses.

Microsoft plans to restart performance-based raises for some employees during this year’s review cycle, according to comments at an internal meeting.