Chrysler Reviews

Pros

I loved the products at Chrysler. The people I had the opportunity to work with were wonderful.

Cons

Disconnect between the Executive Leadership team and lower level employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Eliminate forced-distribution performance feedback scoring.

Pros

The best reason for me working at Chrysler is the money. I am a so-called Tier One worker, so I make a very good, living wage as well as having very good benefits (health insurance, paid holidays & vacations, etc.).

Cons

The worst thing about working at Chrysler on the assembly line is the toll it takes on the body. It is (obviously) repetitive, physical labor. Plus, it is extremely boring work.

Advice to Senior Management

The lack of communication from management is legendary, and there is no sign of that changing. Morale is no longer even acknowledged as worth tracking, much less improving. I have no contact with senior management, but I hope it is more competent than middle and lower management. The supervisors (aka Group Leaders, aka Business Unit Leaders, or BULs) leave much to be desired as bosses. They mostly fall into two categories: Self Promoting or Self Preserving. There is little to no positive feedback. There is no indication of a concerted effort by the BULs to move the company as a whole in a particular direction. The teams they oversee are disjointed and lack unity because of a lack of substantial leadership. There is no singleness of purpose displayed by their attitudes or actions. This is no way to run a company. My advice would be for middle management to be individually reviewed (and replaced, if need be) and corporately retrained toward unified company goals, with an emphasis on positive interaction with co-workers. If you want more from people, treat them more like people.

Pros

Although not as wonderful as perhaps 10 years ago, the comradery and building are tops in the opinion of most people. I've worked at all of the Big 3, and Chrysler treats their contract employees best; you don't know unless you look at the badge. I've never known anyone having an issue with time off. Some of my managers have been exceptional for granting time off for special circumstances. I cannot say enough about the improvement in morale and positive outlook brought about by FIAT taking over. The difference between them and Daimler is just night-and-day. We most definitely have a partner now.

Cons

The concept of "system engineering" seems to be lost on most. Many old Daimler bad habits still exist. Many engineers focus soley on their part (and it's cost) with little or no regard as to how it affects the vehicle as a whole. Couple that with a drive by some to further their career, at all costs, and you have a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, many of those people are in positions which grant them the power to make decisions which affect the product. Another astounding observation made by many is that anecdotal evidence trumps physics and data. Countless times has exhaustive research, testing, or analysis been wiped-out by statements like "I don't believe that" or "That was tried before and it didn't work, so it won't work now." No proof or data to back up these assertions, but they deal a fatal blow nonetheless. Organization and common procedures are nowhere to be found. We are in the 21st century and our ability to share and organize information within the company is beyond horrible. We still have many sharp and bright people at Chrysler. However, if there is no coduit or mechanism to channel that intellect, we'll go nowhere fast.

Advice to Senior Management

When you want to get rid of weeds you need to make sure you eliminate the roots too. Management changes at the top are fine. Keep in mind, however, those managers brought up like-minded people behind them. Those people are still in place and there exists a giant chasm separating our CEO from the common folk, like myself. The majors and colonels are telling the general that everything is fine and we're winning the war! However, in the trenches, the only thing preventing us from shooting each other is we can't get our guns to work!

Pros

Excellent pay and benefits. Chrysler offers many opportunities for career advancement and the ability to change jobs without having to leave the company.

Cons

Restructuring has led to a displaced and segregated workforce, with new hires making significantly less than older employees while doing the same job.

Advice to Senior Management

Management needs to realize that the problems Chrysler has been through are not the fault of the employees, but are due to poor decision making by themselves.

Pros

- Good Salary and overall benefits package
- Work for big automotive company
- Experience looks good on resume as a first job.

Cons

- Poor work environment
- Incompetent managemen
- Long hours and no overtime.
- Bad relationships between unionized and non-union employees

Advice to Senior Management

Take it easy and try to get back to the basics of the business. Need to improve your technical abilities.

Pros

The CTC is a pretty nice facility. Being a relatively small company, there are opportunities for having an impact on the product. Overall, its a pretty nice environment, and people are competent and friendly.

Cons

There are so many ups and down, so many "recovery" plans that it gets old. If there was just some solid leadership, maybe that would work its way down through the ranks. There is a lot of disorganization, a lot of time wasted. Also, the union gets in the way a lot too. The "cleaning" crews are mostly working on improving their chess skills.

Advice to Senior Management

Make a plan and stick to it. Look closely at the managers throughout the company and make sure they are the best. Find some product cohesion. Stop the retro stuff and focus on the future. Stop trying to make something big and make something smart.

Pros

Nice office building in Auburn Hills

Cons

Compensation has been stagnant for so long that it is no longer competitive.

Advice to Senior Management

Need to stop treating lower level professional employee compensation as fixed burden that should be cut to the minimum. Employees are assets, not liabilities. They are investments that will payoff if developed as such.

Pros

Above industry salary. Relatively safe environment. Decent benefits. Some opportunity for advancement.

Cons

Inconsistent management. Lack of leadership in management. Lack of backing of management. Retainment and advancement based upon favoritism not upon results. Beyond unfair.

Advice to Senior Management

Look past your egos and those employees that are your cronies. Look to those employees who consistently perform, show results and go beyond goal setting, even if they do not share the same outside interests as you.

Pros

definitely a lean organization with a much improved product strategy that will launch innovative, head-turning products in the near future. Adequate pay and benefits.

Cons

Due to financial turmoil in the not so distant past, comany has very thin resources and new management approach is company-first, dedication with no regard to work/life balance if you want to move ahead.

Advice to Senior Management

Flattening of the organization was poorly done (hopefully more senior leadership is still to be removed). Although the bottom ranks were further demoted, the top ranks were mostly spared. Review personnel more closely to identify and provide opportunities for the high potentials.

Pros

Focused work without much red tape

Cons

Too many chiefs and too many directions with management not capable of making decisions.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to field engineers and designers