Strengths and Weaknesses (Much rambling ahead)
Pros
Good work environment Very fine coworkers An "all in this together" attitude that keeps morale high during stressful times So far, corporate as not engaged in any frustrating corporate fads like forcing employees to go to culty company pride/team building events. Speaking only for my own position in my own office, my manager gives his employees privacy and space. He depends on self-motivation and well built performance and accountability metrics to ensure work performance rather than falling into the trap of micromanagement or being overbearing and applying unneeded pressure. Overall I feel like I'm allowed to do my best on my own terms within obvious limits of pragmatism and company policy.
Cons
Corporate decisions often come without much explanation or forewarning. Many coworkers were laid off when COVID was projected to affect profits and these coworkers were picked seemingly without consultation of their managers or anyone that works directly with them. Our office lost a legacy system veteran with almost a decade of experience and knowledge before he was done fully training a new hire to replace him. Many new hires were laid off within months of their start dates, some of which were very promising and well performing. Salaries in more remote offices are as low as they can get away with while still getting skilled applicants. They don't pay what you think you're worth, they pay what they think you'll settle for. While this makes sense from a short-term profit standpoint, when hiring for high skill positions, I think providing high salaries makes employees less stressed, more productive, more likely to put in extra effort, and take more pride in their work and the company they represent. You can't perform maximally when you're paid minimally and you're constantly debating whether or not you should take that other job that pays $2k less a year and requires half the work and stress. You don't want your employees wondering whether the stress of the job is worth the pay. It hurts morale. Like most jobs, the benefits are merely par for the course. If you want a luxury insurance plan, you won't find it here. You don't end up homeless if you need to go to the ER, but you won't be eating take out for a few months.
