An Engineering Manager’s Bill of Rights (and Responsibilities)

In a blog post originally from 2018 and updated in recent years, Charity Majors and others discuss the evolving roles and expectations of engineering managers within software engineering organizations. The post argues for a balanced approach to power distribution between engineering managers and individual contributors (ICs), emphasizing the need to develop a career path for ICs that does not necessarily lead to management positions. Over time, the landscape has shifted, with many engineering managers transitioning back to IC roles due to the increasing challenges and expectations placed on management positions. The text highlights the need for managers to possess heightened emotional intelligence, create psychological safety, and balance business needs with employee support, all while acknowledging the lack of organizational support for meeting these new demands. It proposes an "Engineering Manager's Bill of Rights" to ensure respect and support for management roles, advocating for transparency, feedback flow, and flexibility in compensation aligned with market trends. The evolving conversation around management roles aims to create more equitable and humane workplaces, recognizing the essential role managers play in fostering team cohesion and employee satisfaction.