The landscape at Automattic, can be as unpredictable as the sea in a storm.
No matter how good you feel in the current winds, they could change at any moment.
Protect yourself before that happens. If something feels wrong, if there is a tickle in the back of your mind, a twinge of doubt, even a sense of uncertainty… document it. Write it down. Save it. Scrapbook it.
Remember the adage, “rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.”
Document Everything: Keep meticulous records of your achievements, feedback, and any critical communications or promises made by management or HR. In the corporate sea, these records could end up being your compass, helping you navigate through stormy waters. (Screenshots should be undetectable.)
Empower Yourself with Information: Stay informed about company policies, changes, and announcements. If not participation, at least active observation of town halls and discussions will help you keep a picture of the ever changing weather.
Know Your Rights: Understand your contractual rights and the company’s termination policies. If you are in the USA, consider familiarizing yourself with certain acts like WARN.
Build Your Support Network: Connect with your colleagues. Consider and discuss potential group efforts. Communicate outside of work channels. Forge alliances both inside and outside the company. When the ship starts sinking, it’s these relationships that will throw you a lifeline.
Mental Health Matters: If your job is chipping away at your sanity, raise the red flag. Seek external support if needed. Remember, no job is worth sacrificing your well-being.
Compensation Clarity Is a Must: Automattic’s compensation can be as clear as mud. Get everything in writing. Know your worth and demand transparency. If they’re playing hide and seek with your paycheck, it’s time to shine a spotlight.
Keep an Eye Open: Be alert to any shifts in company culture, policy changes, or rumblings of financial trouble. In the corporate jungle, the observant survive.
Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid: Stay critical. Question practices that seem off. Remember, corporate loyalty is a two-way street.
Stay sharp, stay prepared, and may the corporate winds be ever in your favor.