My FU Money story in Tech
There is often such a culture in corporate settings where you cannot create any form of conflict. Even if the conflict is a byproduct of good innovation. Corporate culture exists to create small improvements (like a 3% raise! lol.) but never meaningful improvement. So when someone oversteps that unwritten rule, the powers that be absolutely punish outliers.
Me: The product feature automatically collects meaningful data for the client, so that there isn't any manual data input. It's the needed innovation the company is asking for.
New Product Owner 1: We need to remove this feature because it's an extra step.
Me: If you remove this feature, you do not have a marketable product.
Product Owner 2: Let's remove it because it'll take longer to build.
Me: There is nothing else to build. This is the main architecture of the product.
Product Owners: ...
Me: You're going to need to find a new architect to build this for you, because you don't know what you are doing. (of course I said that in a firm tone! Which is a big corporate no-no)
My boss called me, and said "We are going to have to write you up."
Me: I don't think you should do that. Here's why. ↑
At this point HR got involved and without asking me my side of the story, I was given an Indefinite Warning as I was "Not able to fulfill my duties."
If I didn't sign it within 48 hours, I would be terminated. So I signed it, and the next day, Friday, I turned in my two weeks without anything lined up.
My boss called me and asked repeatedly over the two weeks for me to stay, trying to find some way to make this situation work. "The product won't be able to work without your understanding of the data."
I guess tell HR that.
I love FIRE. It exists because it creates power for those who know their value. If you're good at your job, and at FIRE, you just believe you are really free. And you really are.