Timken Reviews

Pros

I think there are highly intelligent employees in a lot of the teams.

Cons

It is a conservative culture.

Pros

Company has a sound financial plan. Work ethic is good among employees.

Cons

Salaried benefits are constantly being reduced in order to raise the Hourly benefits.
Buddy system is in place, if you don't golf ,you're not going to move into management arena.

Advice to Senior Management

More feedback to associates on accomplishments. Quit cutting Salaried benefits, you posted the highest earnings in 2011.

Pros

Ethical Company
Good benefits and pay
Good leadership vision
Cares about environmental issues

Cons

Location
Resistance to Change
Ultra Conservative
Segmented Business Strategies
Desire to outsource all IT work to India

Advice to Senior Management

There are really good people at Timken, but the company needs to realize that the world outside is shifting from traditional brick and mortal principals and adjust accordingly. New technology is looked at with serious skepticism by some in the company. While some people get excited about opportunities that investment in technology brings, other downright say it's a waste of time as it's not the "way I do things". So far, Timken has not needed to change it's way of business because it has such a good product and good people. I wonder how long that can continue to sustain them?

Pros

There is potential for employee success when upper management decides to show hourly workers a little respect for there talants and skills.

Cons

Not sure if upper management will ever come out of glass bubble and recognize all employees are part of the same team.

Advice to Senior Management

Have faith in your employees. Allow plant leaders to make more scheduling decisions and stop taking away employee benefits. Just once would it be nice to have a raise not be overcome by a benefit loss or insurance increase.

Pros

The pay was excellent, until they lowered the scale for new hires. A lot of the associates are friendly and fun to work with...just beware of the gossips!

Cons

Never told (honestly) what is going on...told to meet certain objectives and everything would be ok...we did, and they still closed Distribution Center, eliminating hundreds of jobs

Advice to Senior Management

Suck it up and tell people the honest truth, even if it hurts...we are grown-ups here. Treat us like it if you want respect.

Pros

For the area the pay is ok, with limited skills needed to get in the door.

Cons

They used to have a really good tuition reimbursement program, now they have regulated it to the point where managers control who gets it and who doesn't. No room for growth or advancement. Good job, bad career.

Advice to Senior Management

Make decisions.... Timken as a whole is a good corporation to work for, but the Keene facility needs to be restructured as there is too much middle management doing busy work.

Pros

One of the largest employers in the area
If you have the right degree, there can be multiple career options
Decent benefits

Cons

Biased management, focus was always on reducing costs with no element of caring about people's lives. Economic downturn served as reason to cut pay, bonus, benefits, and 401k. Just 18 months later they posted biggest profit ever. Amazing.

Advice to Senior Management

Conduct an employee opinion survey, determine which managers treat employees well and which managers are causing turnover of good people.

Pros

Excellent environment to learn.
Professional Managment.
Adopts best practices
Transparent policies like of awarding bonus to its employees where the employees know beforehand how much of annual bonus they would receive. Announced quaterly.

Cons

Conservative.
360 degree assessment missing.
Its a cost centre which serves only Timken worldwide.
Small company of around 500 employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Provide more on-site opportunities for TERI employees
Assessment should be made 360 degree instead of 180 degree.
Give half yearly bonus instead of annual bonus.

Pros

Large company with broad range of opportunities to move arou d

Cons

Not good for those that joined by corp acquisition.

Advice to Senior Management

Promote from within at top levels to provide context. Too much attempt to draw in GE-type management

Pros

Lack of experience of management

Cons

Union minded, policies reflect union enviroment even when not a union.