Micromanagement Thrives and Innovation Dies - Sr. Manager IT Cengage Employee Review

Leadership focus and culture shift Recent leadership changes, especially within IT, have noticeably shifted priorities. The emphasis now feels heavily centered on cost reduction and efficiency metrics above all else. While those goals are understandable in any business, the way they are being executed has had a negative impact on morale and trust. There is limited focus on employee development, career growth, or fostering a strong workplace culture. Input from experienced team members does not seem to carry much weight. The message feels clear: financial optimization comes first. Micromanagement and time tracking A significant example is the requirement for detailed time tracking across IT, including salaried employees. Every hour of the workday must be accounted for. Meetings, project work, operational tasks, everything must be logged. There is no additional benefit for working beyond the standard 37.5 hour week. The tracking is not limited to project costing; it applies to the entire day. This creates an environment where employees feel they must justify their time rather than focus on delivering outcomes. Shift from outcomes to documentation The broader concern is what this represents. Performance and value increasingly feel tied to what can be documented and broken down into cost analysis rather than the quality, impact, or consistency of the work delivered. It does not matter if you consistently exceed expectations or produce high quality results. What matters is whether your time can be itemized and evaluated against cost. That dynamic changes how people experience their work. Overall impact The current environment can feel like having to prove your worth week after week, not through results, but through administrative tracking. Over time, that erodes trust and engagement.