Too bad we weren't acquired sooner - Anonymous employee Microchip Technology Employee Review

With the former management team, there were no pros. There are many pros now. In my time at Atmel I never once saw Laub in the flesh. I never once corresponded with the man, but I did have to deal with many of the poor and selfish decisions he made. It seemed that every other week employees would receive an email about a new VP being hired. A simple google search would inform you that he was a friend of Laub's in one way or another. It is the reason that Atmel became the most top-heavy company in the industry while Laub was among the top-3 paid CEOs. Why was he so highly compensated when he was running a company that was losing money hand over fist? He bred a culture of distrust, dishonesty, and contempt that was not only encouraged but rewarded. Employees could not speak openly about their superiors without fear of swift action against them. In the last two months I have had meetings with the new VP of Fab Operations twice. I've had a meeting with the new CEO and even held a short conversation with him about the future direction of Atmel's IP. Microchip has been open and honest about every decision they've made thus far and even the thought process behind it. They show that they put employees' welfare first before what bottom line number makes them look the best to the board. Prior to the new management I worked for an ok company that made a VERY good product with an awful management team. Now I work for great company that wants to expand on its great products and has installed what appears to be amazing management. Two months ago, I would not have recommended working here. Now I do.