No Stupid Questions

I hope you find your way to a civilized country.

If I ask my manager or my director a question or challenge their thought process I get called into a 1 on 1 meeting where I'm told I'm a great asset to the team but me asking questions of them in a team setting sets a bad example

This isn't on you. If you manager's skin is so thin that they can't take some critical thinking thrown at them, then they shouldn't be a manager. Though if you're doing it all the time it's probably very annoying. If they're doing some self-destructive braindead company decisions, then just roll your eyes and don't say anything while waiting for their comeuppance to bite them in the ass. You don't have to kiss the ring but you don't have to be a nuisance either.

So I guess my question if any is are there still companies that exist in the USA or outside that still give a fuck about what they're doing and not just inflate that companies value so it can be sold or keep the stock price going up.

Maybe a small business with decent core values. They are very rare though, and are liable to be eaten alive by a change in management. So basically no.

IDK if this would be viable with an H1 visa and I've seen many other options I'll be looking into, but here's what I normally tell people in this position: small businesses are built different

They're harder to find, they usually don't pay amazingly, but they're way more human. It's not all run through spread sheets, you work for humans who get to know you and (can sometimes) actually be like a family...(If they say that phrase it's a red flag though)

It's hit or miss, you likely would be working on legacy stuff or have to wear many hats... But it's work where you know what you're doing and who you're doing it for

One answer to capitalist companies seeking to maximize profit at all costs are worker owned companies. When the workers are in control of the business decisions, they won’t vote for the decisions going against themselves.

Sadly, I don’t know that many worked owned tech companies. One example is https://www.igalia.com/

If more people would be willing to start work owned companies rather than your typical capitalist startup, we could have more options.

Yes. Check nonprofits.

At one point in my career I cared about what I did and who I worked for I felt pride over my product and my team, and all I feel now is shame to be associated with my company, I feel disgusted with myself that I work not for my customers but for shareholder value.

This tracks with my experience here as well.

keep my job and not get layed off.

For me, it seems like falling in line and kissing the ring is more important than showing ability, if you want to avoid being laid off. At a previous job, I got laid off before my very noob coworker who took months to complete PRs because I wouldn't shut my mouth about RTO.

a meritocracy

🌎🧑‍🚀🔫🧑‍🚀 Never has been.

I've never worked for a for-profit company since I graduated college. There is variation in non-profit employers, but there are some that are great places to work.

I got a job at a university after graduation (different university than where I got my degree), and I worked there in different departments until I took a job in the university hospital. I've worked here for more than 25 years.

The pay tends to be a bit lower than what you'd get at a for-profit company, but not as bad as some would lead you to believe. I've been able to buy a home, raise a family, and live fairly comfortably.

The benefits are very good. There's a strong focus on education and growth, and work-life balance isn't just a lie they tell people in the interview.

No, there are not. Form a union, get contractually obligated dignity and respect.

Traditionally, there have been a few classes of companies in the U.S: C Corp, S Corp, LLC (Limited Liability Company) aka partnerships, and Closed. Most companies in the U.S. are organized as one of these, with their responsibility toward shareholders, who want to see their money grow.

If you wanted to work for a company that didn't necessarily have infinite growth as its mission, the only option was to find a Non-Profit, but they may not have the kind of funding to spend on legal visas.

In the last few years, two other types of companies have emerged. They're similar, but legally different: B-corp (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_Corporation_(certification)), and PBC or Public Benefit Corporation (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benefit_corporation).

These can be for-profit, but have to have a stated mission in their charter to provide a benefit of some sort to the public.

The links above point at some examples, but you may want to do your own research. Those companies may have the resources to pick up your visa, and may better align with the values you're looking for.

Ideally, and when able, your best bet would be to start your own business and set it up just the way you want.