Pros
I’ve been at Rio Grande for more than 15 years. Rio provides excellent opportunities for those who are willing to challenge themselves, to create and to contribute. Rio lives by of our 15 Principles. Of course it’s a building full of human beings and we’re not all saints, but this company leads a more principled existence than any other I’ve ever worked in or seen. Our corporate culture (Participative Management) requires participation. If you need a structured, directed, hierarchical workplace to succeed, this isn’t the place for you. And, clearly, Rio is not for everybody (as you can see from some of the other reviews), but – if you have what it takes – there truly is no better place to work in New Mexico. The people here are talented, driven and collaborative. The challenges are big and the support to accomplish them is huge. Growth at Rio is accomplished by learning and taking on new responsibilities, not by seniority or title. Your authority is based on your subject matter expertise. The company practices open book and open door management. Financial progress is shared every month with all associates and anyone can speak with any coach or director at any time. Benefits are above average with inexpensive health insurance coverage (including vision, dental and alternative medicine), tuition reimbursement, associate discounts and an excellent Wellness Program.
Cons
Not a con so much as a reality of participative management: you have to work to achieve consensus. Sometimes that may involve getting upwards of 20 people on board. It requires that you provide reasons and benefits and have a high capacity for patience. But the results speak for themselves – when you’ve got buy-in across the board, implementation is much easier and more quickly accomplished. The 401(K) match is disappointing.