The first red flag was the pay; $45k salary for a "QA Engineer" which had previously been pulling six figures doing webdev working remotely, but that's okay, because I made sure to clarify that I would be seeking more competitive pay after having proven myself before accepting the position. Ha, how naive; context doesn't matter to bullies.
After two employee reviews, both being rated top marks "IX supreme being" in every category, pay negotiations with managers finally came to an agreement on a number, only to have it shot down by the CEO: "try again 9 months later, at which point your number seems reasonable".... this is after having been delayed in every way possible by the middle-managers for months, on top of others bragging about their hazing period at the infancy of the company. I went through my hazing period as well, at the BEGINNING of my decade old career. A day later, I get locked out of my iX accounts with the explanation that they thought I was quitting, so I guess I was fired since they misjudged that situation. Clarifying made little difference to the situation. So if you like working for dishonest, vindictive employers that use the passion of their employees to in turn under pay them: this is your stop.
Despite that, it was still worth the experience in my situation (+1), since I kind of knew what I was getting into. The development process was enjoyable enough despite management (chalked up to some oddly placed trust and lack of micro-management; oddly because they'll still stab you in the back), which I imagine is why so many talented people have decided to put up with so little in return. The relaxed pace is great for a breather, but long-term careers would be better served somewhere that management doesn't see you as purchased property once you've taken the position.
Let's not even get started on the nepotism.
