St. Jude Medical Employee Review

Former Employee – worked at St. Jude Medical

Pros – St. Jude has developed ground breaking technologies that extend patients quality of life. I found that to be a very enjoyable and satisfying thing to do. Overall the caliber of the people and work environment (at the Sunnyvale site) was great and was one of the reasons I was attracted to the company. We worked hard and played hard.

Cons – Budgets and personnel have been cut consistently over the last 5 years and I see no sign of improvement in this. The culture at the Sylmar site is toxic and most management has been moved there and as such infects the environment at the Sunnyvale site. At review time some divisions force a normal bell curve at the department level. The lower 20% is put on an "improvement plan" but are eventually forced out. However, replacement requisitions are rarely approved. So it is obviously only a strategy to cut budget.

Advice to Senior Management – I have watched, with sadness, how a happy, fulfilling and productive work place has become a drab, somber, and dismal work place. People are overworked and stressed out. If management really has to cut budget, then just be honest about it. Let us be part of the process instead of playing games with the review process. What you have ended up with is not so much the best people left, but those that keep management happy. Recently, St. Jude had it's first recall ever, go figure.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend