Pros
The competence, intelligence and commitment of fellow Associates is the primary reason I choose to work at Gore. Associates are generally professional and treat each other with respect. Since most of us spend 1/3 to 1/2 our waking hours at work, who that time is spent with is an important consideration. Compensation for most Associates is fair when benefits and work/life balance issues are considered. In general, there is a high level of freedom for Associates to develop and pursue their own unique contribution to the enterprise. For most Associates, Gore is a comfortable and nurturing environment to pursue professional and developmental goals.
Cons
Contrary to one of the companies core principles, compensation does not mirror contribution. While another Associate has never told me their compensation, everyone I've spoken to regarding the process agrees with this statement. A more accurate statement is that Associates are compensated according to external benchmarking for similar job functions and very rarely, significant contributions are recognized via compensation. Gore represents itself as a flat organization thriving on 4 core principles - freedom, fairness, commitment and waterline (risk accountability). While most Associates value and uphold these principles, Corporate and Division Leaders (senior leadership in other companies) have apparently put a bounty on the fairness principle. Maybe not surprising, since most of these people were appointed to their positions rather than earning them through garnering followers, as the founder, Bill Gore, intended. Human nature being what it is, those who find more than they seek or deserve are the most ruthless protectors of what they have. This manifests itself through the most highly compensated leaders using whatever means necessary to justify or inflate their value and surround themselves with willing minions while dedicated and competent Associates are forced to leave the company because they cannot stomach "playing the game". With the lack of a visible hierarchy at Gore, politics is veiled and subversive, which actually forces those who engage in it to invest more time in doing so. Problem is that this behavior is rewarded, so it continues to become more pervasive. To put it simply, Gore is no longer a flat organization - it's at best a pyramid with most of those at the top defending their territory at all costs.