Ugh...where to start?!
This company is run by narcissistic French executives who refuse to be wrong. Even if they make terrible decisions, it's always the Americans fault.
They treat people like Kleenex. The constant threat of layoffs wore thin. I was never at risk, but having to sit there an watch them figure out who to get rid of twice a year was nerve racking. They didn't hide it well, so you always knew when it was coming.
The sales group was out of control. The former America's president rule of "the answer is always yes" destroyed any reputation the company already had. Why? Because the sales people loved that, and told customers whatever they wanted to hear. There was no way to accomplish what they promised. But rather than see that it was a problem with the policy, the staff was berated by upper management for not getting it done.
The constant trips by certain people from France was laughable. The plant being in Florida was an easy reason for them to come for a vacation in the USA. The extravagant sales meetings in Miami, Salt Lake City, etc. were almost comical. These "business trips" consisted of the company paying for skiing, sleigh rides, etc. Also, they proudly posted pictures on the internal social media page showing people drinking heavily at 11AM during the Salt Lake "meeting". It was all a ruse to celebrate the mediocrity of the sales team. They screamed at everyone else to save money, while they spent it like they could print it.
They pay well, but no bonuses. Even small companies offer them, but not Saft. You have to be a certain level manager to get a bonus. Plus, they pay some managers more than they could get anywhere else, without reason. There were also people in made up positions driving company cars simply because they were friends with someone. As crazy as this may sound, it's true.
Culture - laughable. You live in fear for your job, while being berated by French and Swedish managers who couldn't be a greeter at Wal-Mart, let alone be hired as a manager in the United States.
Lastly, watching the company turn a blind eye to the harassment performed by an executive was sad and borderline criminal.
