USG Reviews

Pros

USG has a tradition of high integrity, respect in the market, and workplace safety. There is enough diversity in plant locations and operations that an employee willing to relocate can get experience in a variety of situations. Most USG managers are eager to help employees improve their skills whether through internal training or tuition reimbursement programs. For plant operations folks, the non-union environment makes for a less stressful workplace. Perhaps the best reason to work at USG for those early in their careers is when the building materials business eventually turns around, and it will, there will be promotion opportunities galore.

Cons

A characteristic of USG that is a double edged sword is the authority they give the Plant Managers. How that authority is exercised often determines the quality of worklife at a plant. A really good plant manager usually means a great place to work. And the opposite is true, unfortunately. Plants truly are a reflection of that Plant Manager's personality and management style.

Another problem on the sales side is how sales executives clone themselves through promotions. Perhaps the recession caused a reality check, but it was almost required to have great hair and/or low-handicap golf score to rise in the sales ranks. They building products business is a relationship game and too often sales managers cut deals with big customers without their local sales rep ever finding out until told by the customer. Sales reps at USG have the toughest jobs, no question about it. They put up with more nonsense than you can believe.

USG was very slow to adopt modern information technology compared to other Fortune 500 corporations. Individuals drove the change and the corporation had to catch up. Management has a history of being conservative and that conservatism drove many innovative people away.

Advice to Senior Management

USG needs to adopt the practice of having employees 're-interview' for their jobs after they've been in them for a while. What happens is the business changes, the person changes, and not always is the change parallel. There are lots of people at USG who are economic hostages, taking up space because they are so enmeshed in the safety net they cannot free themselves to seek a career change that is really a better fit for them and the company. For those employees in management/technical roles who've been with USG for 20+ years and are career plateaued, invest in a win-win process to find something invigorating for them. That new job may not necessarily be with USG.

Pros

Great people and plenty of room to grow for employees. There are great mentors available in this organization. People respect one another

Cons

USG is a company in the extremely competitive wallboard industry. This when added to the current economic situation, salary freezes and constant layoffs makes the company unattractive to young employees and middle tier upwardly mobile staff.

Advice to Senior Management

To better maximize on involuntary severances, aim higher in the organization. Too often, cuts were taken from the lower levels of staff in the organization - the doers. Overtime, all that is left is the delegators who have an excellent track record for fending off new work. Eliminate that layer to bring back innovation

Pros

Really nice office building. clean, comfortable, and contemporary work environment and work spaces. More than enough meeting rooms from large to small. Tons of natural light from full floor to ceiling windows. My first manager was excellent; he cared about my professional development and career, as well as my person life and well being.

Cons

Some managers are much better than others. When I was laid off I was working for a manger that although micro managed, did not understand our teams day to day activities or how they impact the company. My manager also didn't want us thinking outside the confinements of the department.

Advice to Senior Management

Allow the workforce to critique their managers. Give opportunities outside of the employees direct area of work, especially if interest is shown.

Pros

Industry Leader with great reputation for quality and service.
Many talented people who work hard and are helpful to fellow employes

Cons

The on going depression characteristics of the building materials business has resulted in constant layoffs with many good people terminated.

Advice to Senior Management

There is too much capacity in the industry. We need to reduce ours further and buy other companies that have plants were we are not competitive.

Pros

Reason for joining was duty to country and the chance to "give something back". That being said, USG provides opportunities to learn skillsets for life, travel, etc.

Cons

Inflexibility of bureacratic environment; promotion is a matter of "time in grade" vice recognizing someone for individual merit. Trying to staff a new idea or initiative can be like trying to turn a large ship on a dime. Not an easy feet.

Advice to Senior Management

Empower the employees to make decisions at the lower level. Many good ideas have died an early death as the weight of the bureaucratic process was difficult to overcome.

Pros

Good people to work with.

Cons

Not very diversified to weather economic hardships.

Advice to Senior Management

Do not fear change.

Pros

Outststanding people. Great work-life balance. Perfect location & office environment. Highest level of integrity.

Cons

Waiting for housing market rebound. Career and comp on hold. People are pension locked and just waiting for retirement.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't wait for the market. Get serious about change. This is the new normal!

Pros

Great people work here
Company provides a lot of opportunites for laterial moves

Cons

Middle Management in position because of years of service not quality of work
no real advancement opportunities
several workforce reductions and no Manager, ever seem to get cut, too much work for lower level employees.
salary freeze since 2008
Sr. level managers keep getting longer titles and promotions

Advice to Senior Management

Provide career paths
Do something about middle management
provide at minimum cost of living increases

Pros

Opurtunity to move about the country.
Opurtunity to learn the business and technical aspects of company.
Well established market leader in product sector.

Cons

Poor business climate currently. Depending on location and product line you may be limited to opurtunities. Poor performance rewards system.

Pros

Solid management who cared about employees
Great location in downtown Chicago

Cons

Overbuilding causing negative outlook and layoffs
Some of the work was repetitive
Things could get boring sometimes

Advice to Senior Management

I think,despite having been laid off, that management has the right strategy to weather the economic outlook. I look forward to possibly being hired back someday.