JCPenney Software Developer reviews

It is a very top-heavy organization. There are a lot of politics and red-tape. Using the latest technology or techniques is not encouraged and oftentimes is discouraged through a focus on tight deadlines and right to left planning. There is not as much concern for "how" something is done since it is not considered as important. There are exceptions to this, but those groups are the minority and face heavy politics fighting against their attempts. JCPenney does not care about its employees, although they will adamantly state that they do. In 2011 before I left there were 70 technology employees that left for one reason or another. Management called it "attrition" however I do not think that all of those employees left voluntarily. Many long-term employees found themselves faced with either early retirement or all of the sudden their performance was brought in to question and they were facing "Performance Improvement Plans" and possible termination. In their place, college interns were being brought in or external companies (both offshore and onshore) were being used.

With all the changes in upper management they are all bringing in buddies from other companies and pushing aside those with a great knowledge base. All the savings are coming on the backs of the employees and long term employees are being pushed out as a result to drive savings even further. To many new people playing the buddy game that don't have the knowledge or the skill set to be in the positions they are in. It is definitely a who you know not what you know place.... Not your parents JCPenney and the Golden Rule is out the window.