ExxonMobil Chemical Reviews

Pros

Excellent environment to learn specific job scope and given lots of time to learn. But jobscope is only a small part, you have to learn safety systems, controls systems, etc

Cons

Controls freak with tons of paperwork

Pros

Committed to safety. High on cash flow as a company, with clear business direction and strategy. Walk the talk most of the time

Cons

Compensation package is not one of the best in the industry. Peer appraisal and promotion is too subjective, compared to equivalent companies in the same industry. Value westerners more than locals

Advice to Senior Management

Need to start developing potential of locals instead of promoting expat assignments to bring westerners to Singapore. Need to recognize individuals and boost morale time to time

Pros

Very stable company financially. Highly aware and protective of their company brand and integrity. Very unlikely to ever be an "Enron."

Cons

Such a large company, they are unable to be nimble in the marketplace nor can they easily foster an entrepreneurial spirit among the ranks. Performance and ranking system fosters inter-employee competitiveness by people seeking personal credit in the quest for top ranking; this disables collaborative culture development where better productivity and superior answers can usually be better developed.

Advice to Senior Management

It's not all about YOUR career. Promote those that deliver instead of stepping on those that deliver you.

Pros

Benefits are among the best in industry

Cons

Too much talent. Nowhere to go.

Pros

Management generally respectful to employees, although contractors still can find it difficult to 'integrate' with 'coworkers'. Flex time is one of the best things they have done (ability to be flexible with work hours).
Work environment is very relaxed (IT network). (Most) Employee environment is generally welcoming and interesting to be around. Teamwork good.

Cons

IT personnel (network admins) not having admin rights to their own laptops as a given. Imagine being unable to do a job because you dont have the drivers installed for a USB cable (to console cable, laptop didn't have DB-9 serial port...)

Biggest problem was overbearing restriction in work duties. Read only access is given to network techs who support the 'customers'. (No port VLAN changes, etc.). VERY inefficient and demoralizing to employees, especially those who had their rights taken away when the change first happened. Also greatly increased downtime of 'customers' by making techs unable to
make port config changes instantly (must submit request up).

Contractors have been treated better recently, but lack of ease to become permanent hired was not what I expected from the "contract-to-hire" description on contract.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to employees and don't let other groups get in the way of getting what your group needs. Don't give your group more responsibilities while at the same time taking away necessary tools (such as Telnet write access). It is okay to not know anything about IT, if you can at least listen to your employees when they tell you what needs to happen. It is your job to make things happen, not just blindly give orders.

Pros

safety awareness; leading technology; long term investment from company; lots of opportunities

Cons

a little low efficiency on routine work such as mechanic work, repairs

Advice to Senior Management

share information more effectively

Pros

I was able to ask for help whenever I needed it. Everyone in my division was really friendly and competent in their work. Also, managers made sure that I met every important visitor. They even took me and the other intern to a baseball game, a plant, and a couple extravagant dinners.

Cons

You are given a lot of work and expected to do a good job. This is good for some people and bad for others. In other words, the work load is not for everyone.

Advice to Senior Management

A lot of managers are constantly moving from division to division to advance their career. I would say they should extend their stays at each division.

Pros

Great pay, interesting & smart people, somewhat flexible schedule, respectful managers.

Cons

Lunch selection is not diverse or healthy, physical work environment is unpleasant, ranking system is unfair and secretive, very bureaucratic. Changing positions is almost impossible. Not much vacation...

Advice to Senior Management

Wake up and smell the 21st Century and adapt your ways to the ever changing world. You're still stuck in the 1800's.

Pros

Open door policy. Most leaders are very competent and smart and willing to listen.
Provide opportunity to rotate. Employees can find their potentials in different positions.
Focus on long term committement. Didn't lay off people even during financial crisis.
Employees get respected from the company

Cons

Detailed internal process and procedures. Employees should follow the process/procedure strictly
Package and benefit is not competent in Shanghai

Advice to Senior Management

Promote more local leaders in China
Raise the salary for local Chinese employees

Pros

- Good challenging work
- Very smart peers and coworkers
- Flexible work arrangement
- Good long term benefits

Cons

- Excessive focus on work-processes that often delays decision making.
- Difficult to distinguish yourself from the crowd as politics often plays a bigger role than technical merit.
- Very old-fashioned management style though some of the newer, younger managers are bringing a positive change.

Advice to Senior Management

- Need to focus more on the work, and not the work processes so much.