Abbott Labs Reviews in Chicago, IL Area

Pros

stable, not that stressful all the times

Cons

not much growth, not much room to go up

Advice to Senior Management

need to set up encouraging environment

Pros

Company has great products and great people. The drive for quality is superior. The salary and benefits are outstanding

Cons

There are pockets of leadership that really need critical feedback and development. It can be a very political environment.

Advice to Senior Management

Skip a level to get feedback from employees about management. I believe there are Senior Managers and Managers who have been promoted with no people development skills.

Pros

The advantage of Abbott is that they have a lot of technical strong employees. The operation of the company is very systematic. Entry level scientist can grow very quickly in terms of scientific knowledge.

Cons

If you can deliver excellent job but quiet, Abbott is not right place for you.

Advice to Senior Management

Appreciate more to the people who actually deliver the job. They are the blood of this company

Pros

Great Benefits, 401 K Match and flexability with Work/Family Life.

Cons

Communication is not very good in regards to key issues within the department. Opportunity for advancement is limited.

Advice to Senior Management

More recognition in regards to work completed. Treated individuals as equals and in a professional manner.

Pros

Abbott is a great place to work. It has long term stability and steady growth.

Cons

It not very friendly to younger people. Most people are over 30 and entry level people are few and far between.

Advice to Senior Management

Make it more appealing to younger employees.

Pros

The company wants to grow market share by acquiring other established businesses and technologies. That diversity helps the company withstand economic downturns. The company has a good system for personal growth and carreer growth. You are encouraged (but not required) to move to new positions every several years so that you can learn more about the business.

Cons

The company is very "political" and there is a strong emphasis on being "politically correct". That doesn't mean being liberal or conservative in your political views. It means the way you talk, the way you act, etc.

Advice to Senior Management

Quit worrying so much about appearances and how the current results will impact you personally. Instead look at how to improve the company and look to take more risks to change things and do a better job more efficiently.

Pros

I enjoy working for Abbott Labs. There is plenty of room for advancement. Benefits are good and they are very friendly towards working mothers.

Cons

There has been a lot of lay-offs in the last few years in my division (ADD) and an attempt at a sell-off and now at Lake County, IL there is downsizing that threatens my position.

Advice to Senior Management

While there is significant improvement in the level of communication from management, there is still many people I know that are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Pros

great intern program, lots of opportunities to advance career development, can easily set up informationals with top execs

Cons

competitive, hard to get noticed

Advice to Senior Management

keep up the great work

Pros

Good compensation for the internship program.

Cons

Not an ideal location to live.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work.

Pros

Large, stable company with long-term growth.

Cons

Easy to be a "number" and be "siloed"

Advice to Senior Management

The company is VERY lean. I would be afraid to make it any leaner.