Covad Communications Group Reviews

Pros

Flexible, good when the work is there

Cons

Growth, it can be stagnant with the economy

Advice to Senior Management

Keep selling!

Pros

Good open door policy. Had a very supportive manager. Worked with several competent people across the different functions. Was given increasing job responsibilities and "promotions" during employment.

Cons

Disjointed Infrastructure means it often takes longer than it should to get something done. Was always surprised that something as simple as a standard process either had either not been created or not communicated to the company at large. Would always have to hunt around for the correct procedure. Would sometimes get very political. Felt direct senior management was disrespectful of time and efforts.

Pros

Perhaps things will improve after the MegaPath merger. There is a tuition assistance program, but only for undergraduate degrees and almost all jobs require a bachelors. There is a 401k plan but it is funded by the employees through high fund fees. Medical coverage is decent but I never really used it (fortunately).
The private equity firm owner has deep pockets.

Cons

No focus on employee development, coercive and chaotic work environment. Unrealistic expectations from management based on scarce data and little employee input.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep it up, let's see what happens.

Pros

Good benefits compared to other companies, flexible shifts, good work environment

Cons

changing priorities often cause inefficiencies

Advice to Senior Management

Appreciate open communication with employees

Pros

Good experience in learning about VoIP, telecom, and Internet service providers, and seeing how amazingly difficult it is to roll out VoIP service on a nationwide level.

Cons

An unpleasant work experience and environment culminating in massive layoffs and selling off of company.

Advice to Senior Management

You had people running certain operations that had no business doing so. No experience, poor management skills, poor understanding of marketplace.

Pros

The pay package was competitive to what other silicon valley tech companies were paying.
Easy to get to and lots of parking spaces.

Cons

When I was working there, it was a series of layoffs and dismissals. It would be surprising if you could go a quarter without someone you kew getting let go. What was going on whas always kept away from the employees, and the leadership was questionable (it has changed since)

Advice to Senior Management

Transparency would be a start, although it would scare away a portion of employees, if handled correctly and having policies in place to reward those who assisted in keeping the company afloat and growing the business should be visibly rewarded.

Pros

Overall Covad has competitive compensation package. Tuition reimbursement, medical, dental, vision 401k.

Cons

Leadership is incompetent. The company used to be 5000 employees and is now under 500. They outsource everything. A bad quarter typically is followed by layoffs. Wash rinse and repeat...

Advice to Senior Management

Establish a clear vision for the company.

Pros

1. Laid back attitude
2. Not much work

Cons

1. Too much politics
2. Management (all level) sucks

Advice to Senior Management

Change them!

Pros

Generally Covad is a pretty great place to work. There's definitely a no-jerks policy, and if you ever start acting like one yourself, you'll be immediately reprimanded. Wonderful benefits, and the corporate HR people and processes work well. The takeover by Platinum has brought about some changes, nothing too dramatic. I definitely think the new management team is heading the company in the right direction, and I am looking forward to the MPLS rollout next year. The top technical people at Covad are cool, never condescending and always willing to help you out. Management is generally pretty down-to-earth, and the supervisors are all well-liked. If you like a challenge and meeting a quota of taking calls and working tickets, this is the job for you.

Cons

Ah, the biggest problem is the incessant micromanagement that gets pawned off on the supervisors by some of the management. Time management down to the minute is incredibly annoying. I realize we work in a quasi-call center environment, but we're all pretty smart people, which is why we work @ Covad, not Comcast. The location in Lowry is kind of a pain in the neck to get to. The Denver center also desperately needs new PC's.

Advice to Senior Management

Pat and Co- keep it up! We're all behind you 100%. We all want to see this thing succeed, and with the Platinum money and the management team I think we'll kick some butt. We're moving in the right direction, and you guys keep us energized to come in and do our best.