Pros
Very flexible with individual employee needs. Many times I have witnessed employees faced with challenges that might have been problematic in most companies. Abbott works with employees willing to help themselves to find the right niche, have adequate time to get through tough situations, that sort of thing. Abbott takes an active interest in providing a positive atmosphere with an emphasis on integrity, working conditions, and opportunity for advancement. In the race between the tortoise and the hare, Abbott is the tortoise. A little slower, a little more conservative, but steady, determined, and in the end it succeeds. Most people I know who have left say the atmosphere was better at Abbott than at their new company.
Cons
The pay is not at all comparable to that available at similar companies. On the upside, it is a very stable company. Northern Illinois is one of the most tedious places in the U.S. Think you might commute from Chicago! Ha! You're looking at commute times of at least 2 hours one way at rush hour. The alternative is to live in any number of dull suburbs that offer little or nothing other than developments. There is virtually no culture within commuting distance. So you have a dilemma - a horrific commute or complete boredom. Also, if you are an outdoors person who likes anything other than boating and fishing you will find yourself with little to interest you.