Pros
Company is going through major business model change to catch up with the rest of the industry. 30% of employees approaching retirement age in the next few years. Therefore, lots of opportunities within the company. However, local connection or commitment to the location (Kingsport, TN) has become a major consideration for any career opportunities. Performance is secondary or even third tier consideration for career progress.
Cons
Company HQ located in a very remote area, Kingsport, TN. Most of the people in the company still have a small town mind-set. Company policy rewards loyalty instead of performance. For example, if 2 people doing exactly the same job, one could have an office and makes much more than the other just because the prior has been with the company for longer time. This is such a disappointment for a global company. Another thing has bothered me personally is Eastman likes to get in employee's personal life. For example, almost anyone who joined the company and moved from outside of Kingsport, TN will be asked when they are going to buy a house in town. This question will be asked many times for years until they actually bought a house. I have seen people at all levels, even Director level, to be excluded from promotion because of not having a house in town. Many people have left the company because of lack of career development opportunities.