IBM reviews

Management is pretty incompetent. Products have taken a turn for the worse lately. Too much pressure on selling and not enough on relationships with customers. Shady practices with lay offs and outsourcing. The morale has been pretty low due to the removal of pension benefits and health benefits even though the company was flush with money. 5,000 people were laid off last month even with record profits. Way too many VPs and directors. They take care of each other and rarely consider the first line managers or employees.

Demoralizing work environment. No job security - being rated well or promoted does not insulate you from layoff or mandatory reassignment. Seemingly arbitrary promotions and ratings - schmoozing is more important than technical ability or accomplishments. Bad behavior of some first- and second-line managers results in mistrust of all first- and second-line managers, making it difficult for any manager who genuinely wants to help morale. Usability of current products neglected in favor of "integrating" multiple IBM products, whether or not it makes sense for customers. Engineers expected to work to unrealistic schedules, and insulted or threatened if we try to point out or correct issues. Impossible to meet quality, content, and schedule goals - you just have to hope the team down the hall fails worse than your team does.