Canadian Natural – “Good for starters only. No growth for middle management”

Pros

Easy going atmosphere
Good for starters - you get lot of work to do and end up learning a lot
Executives are approachable
Free drinks and lots of get togethers (Stampede party, Christmas parties)

Cons

Might is right culture - While executives are approachable, but they do not listen to what employees say. As an example when in a quarterly session an employee proposed for introducing 360 degree feedback, the Chairman physically turned on the stage 360 degree saying that this all he knows what 360 degree is!

Top down approach - Employees are given decisions and told to execute. No culture of innovation or egalitarianism.

Employees are expected to sweat in this sweat shop and when asked for pay are pointed towards stock-options. Employees can hardly control the stock prices as it depends on overall company performance, industry performance and economy.

Outdated system and procedures - Not sure about core operation, but support functions are hugely lacking in usage of modern IT systems and procedures. As a result, by working here for long, one doesn't get exposed to current trends in the industry and hence becomes unemployable!

Advice to Senior Management

Stop the top-down approach, listen and act to employee's suggestions. In other words walk the talk.