Where do I start...
- Employee Benefits (holiday etc)
No need to expand on this. It's basically the minimum package, so not sure it's "Benefits"
- Project Expectations
Expectation setting with clients is generally poor. Number of times the PMs will commit the team to unrealistic timelines without consulting the team. You're expected to just take it on the chin... otherwise you're not a team player
- Quality resources both onshore and offshore
I think, most of the talent left when Wipro aquired Appirio. This is from the top down... just look at the labor turnover in the past year... also worth noting that most of Wipro developers that you'll be working with are simply shocking. In other companies you'd rely on the Project Managers to manage the resource of the project, but from my experience at Appirio, they're just as bad.
- Management
Team leads and heads of departments have very little power... everything just gets pushed up to Wipro through the many, many layers of management and nothing ever comes back.
- No defined working hours means that you are expected to always be available
Many consultancy companies do this now. I think it's a little cheeky as you're told that this is a benefit. Some might find this as a benefit, but I'd rather know when I start work and finish so I can plan my social life.
- High Travel expectations
You'll find yourself traveling to business parks all over the country. This has happened to me multiple times with little warning; some Sr. PM in India will commit the times of onshore resources to be onsite with the client. No questions asked, you're just expected to pack up and travel for unknown reasons, no agendas and no time to explain. Again, if you complain (which I have) you're labeled as a bad team player and just told that this is your job.
- Poor Client mangement
Wipro manage the Accounts... UK teams have very little influence with SOW's all the way to delivery. Wipro solution is always just to throw more developers at it and the onshore just have to deal with it.
- Lastly Wipro systems are awful
Time logging, annual leave requests and help tickets can take DAYs to log. Add that to the existing stresses of the projects, it makes Appirio a company that is very difficult one to stay at and recommend to others.
I would of also liked to give this feedback to the Management directly but they didn't even do an exit interview...
