E. & J. Gallo – “This employer is stuck in the 1970s.”

Pros

Good Health care options. Outstanding company 401k contributions. The company is very stable. IT training budget is very good (books, training all can be expensed). Vacation / sick time is very generous.

Cons

Intensely political environment. Upper management asks opinions of workerbees only to get the answers they want to hear; those who voice objection or concern are considered to be troublemakers. Bias and cronyism factor heavily into performance evaluations and promotions. The environment is very politically conservative. Pay is below industry average for most white-collar jobs.

Advice to Senior Management

Accept the fact that you don't know everything; it's OK to listen to the advice of non-managers sometimes. Consider promoting based on merit, rather than simply on who shmoozes the best.