I left Oracle six months ago and I thought the biggest benefits of my decision to change jobs were higher pay and fewer layoffs. I was wrong. The biggest benefit turned out to be working in a positive work environment with non-toxic culture. I now know that I would have left even for less money had I known how much my life would change for the better without the everyday stress, micromanagement, and horrendous workplace politics I could do nothing about. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest. Maybe I got lucky but leaving turned out to be the best possible decision for me.
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Thank all of you for posting. I thought it was just me. The abuse I suffered at Oracle from SVP berating me for issues not under my control during a large meeting conference were the most stressful I ever experienced. I have many years experience at many other companies, all who would hire me back in a heart beat. From huge mega corporations to small tiny startups. The PTSD took 3 years to slip away. When I resigned Oracle actually tried to make a counter offer to keep me. I should have played that out, to make the SVP jump through the hoops and then quit anyway, but I didn't.
All I want to say is that I am SO happy for all of you. I’m in my early 40’s, about a decade plus in, don’t like my manager but my job is easy and haven’t had to bust my stones in a long time while I work on some certs. I am real happy you all got out and found good jobs. I was just contacted by a recruiter for Google but not sure how their culture is compared to Oracle.
I had the same experience. I left Oracle after enduring what can only be described as a Toxic, HOSTILE workplace. There were some really good people at Oracle, not all management was bad. My VPs were great--sadly, they all left due to the new SVP they had to report to, who knew nothing.
I had a terrible direct manager. He actually was working at another Silicon Valley company at the same time he was working for Oracle. I know he had something else going on, because he was basically NEVER at work. When he did come in, he was incredibly abusive. Later I found out, he had treated at least 4 people before me the same way, and they had all left Oracle because of him. I reported him to HR, and the solution was for me to be transferred to another position at Oracle, forcing me to basically give up the job they hired me for and relocated me for. Later, Oracle found out what this guy was doing and he was let go, but that didn't help me and all the pain I went through while working there.
I enjoyed the work I did at Oracle, the job itself and the other people I worked with. But my time there was a total agony.
I am now at a smaller, better company and part of a great team with a supportive manager. My PTSD is fading, but I wish I hadn't had to deal with all the stress and worry I did when working at O. There's no reason to suffer. The economy is picking up. If you are in a bad situation, please explore your options.
I as well. The PTSD is starting to fade after almost two years. Working at Oracle changes your thought processes and engages the fight/flight response.
I fully echo this post, same sitution for me. What a relief!
To the "older" anonymous worker: my spouse, at age 60, was laid off in April 2020 from a 100% remote software position and was able to find another one that is also remote. You should look around, you may be surprised.
And the higher pay and fewer layoffs are still a nice side-benefit. As a an “older” worker, the only thing that keeps me clinging (appropriate toilet metaphor) is the work-from-home “benefit” that may end - who knows when?