Hitachi Global Storage Reviews

Pros

Profitability has been improving. Professional and strong technical culture stemming from IBM. Good bonus plan during profitable times.

Cons

Gradual reduction in benefits. Unfairly biased downsizing in US.

Advice to Senior Management

IPO - dont sell the company.

Pros

easy work, not much overtime, flexible hours, work from home, beautiful location, good benefits, some really great coworkers, my manager

Cons

the old IBM culture/employees weighs everything down - people are not comfortable with change and sabotage it, morale is obviously terrible here since they announced the acquisition but really everyone was just waiting for the economy to pick up so they can leave, I don't know anyone who is truly happy in Finance/Accounting. The average worker is OLD. People have worked here their entire adult lives and actually retire from this place. Their skills are stale.

Advice to Senior Management

well obviously not much to say here since the company is being acquired, but there has always been an overall feeling that employees are not valuable if they're not Director level and above. There was no plan to even offer ESPP if/when we went public.

Pros

Lots of freedom to change the programs and processes. Everyone is civil, and ethics and talent are recognized and rewarded.

Cons

Always looking to cut cost and increase profits, too focused on quarterly measurements.

5 HR directors in 7 years, no one knows what the company should look like when it grows up.

Advice to Senior Management

It's time for the huge number of Vice Presidents to leave gracefully, and allow the middle managers to bring the HGST culture to the barbarians at WD.

Pros

Good compensation compared to competition.

Cons

No Merit Raise
Unpredictable bonuses.

Pros

Good and competent co-workers. Very professional and ethical company

Cons

No clear path to career growth

Pros

Friendly people, support for other people

Cons

Insufficient commitment to build out infrastructure

Advice to Senior Management

Make the commitment

Pros

The only thing I can think of is initial batch of Hitachi co-workers who will support one another in the event of crisis

Cons

1) Management is always employing and rewarding people who worked with them in the previous company.
2) As long as you are the management's pet, even if you are the worst worker around, you will be valued
3) Good employees are never rewarded and overworked to cover the uselessness of those who can't even tie their own shoelace

Advice to Senior Management

Nothing to be said since it is going to sold to WD

Pros

Employees are friendly and happy, eventhough compensation wise they are not satisfied.

Cons

Local HR at Philippine site is lame. I'm personally dissatisfied on the way they give value to employees. Salaries and benefits are not competitive. Attrition rate is high.

Advice to Senior Management

Need to seriously look at the cause of attrition

Pros

Great Bonus Pkg - as long as you work hard and sacrifice vacation time
Only a good place to work if your manager is stable (meaning has been there 2+years)

Cons

Extremely political climate from top to bottom
Unstable Management Team - too many changes in leaders every year
Culture - leaves alot to be desired; difficult to adopt new or change (inherited from old IBM)
Work environment comfort - employee's own responsibility (i.e. no real amenities, like free coffee)

Advice to Senior Management

Need to stop bickering amongst yourselves and build a stable Executive team so you can be Number 1 (as you wish to be). Also, stop replacing VPs that do not reflect your own beliefs. Like-mindedness leads to group think.

Pros

Get to learn about the high tech operations.

Cons

Sort of lacking work life balance.

Advice to Senior Management

It was a great opportunity to work at the company.