W. R. Grace Reviews

Pros

Grace is a very safe place to work. The corporate culture is also very pleasant. Good place to start your career.

Cons

Grace is a small plant so there is little room for advancement. Many of the engineers don't want to leave so the positions become stagnant.

Advice to Senior Management

I would advise Grace to implement a mentoring program. Move their employees around more to create opportunity.

Pros

Overall excellent mid-level workers; solid product line; great global footprint; generally very successful with both customers and investors. Very good financial and communication systems.

Cons

Very fragmented-- works more like multiple companies with top management having more initiatives than they can handle. Chapter 11 not huge problem-- but still something that you have to explain.

Advice to Senior Management

You have lots of great employees- but the Grace does not operate like "one operating company." Top management needs to 'walk the talk' with less initiatives, more cross-business promotions, and consistency in expectation

Pros

there are some great people working there, several great benefits to try and keep morale up. Quite a few top notch employees.

Cons

management, no cooperation or communication between departments. Expecting too much from a small group of employees that are overworked to begin with.

Advice to Senior Management

get a clue so you can get an idea of what the employees are up against. Don't expect miracles from overworked employees.

Pros

Good salary and convenient location.

Cons

There is limited career development.

Advice to Senior Management

More cross functional team activities.

Pros

The only pro working for Grace is they do offer a competitive salary.

Cons

Lack of integrity in management.
Disconnect between management and employees.
Disconnect between corporate management and front line supervisors.

Advice to Senior Management

Place more stock into advice employees have. They are the life blood of the company. Sometimes ideas that look good on paper are difficult to implement. Seeking advice from then people decisions affect can help make implementation of ideas and strategies more efficient.

Pros

The people are great to work with

Cons

In some instances it is not as easy to develop your career

Advice to Senior Management

Offer more training programs to technicians
Listen more to employees

Pros

Engaging down-to-earth CEO. Engaging leadership team (depends on business division). Slightly above average compensation package and easy to communicate in a small organization (however very political- see con).

Cons

Lean and incompetent workforce. Operate in silos. Lack of visibility in leadership at the location- blame culture. Political place too work in considering the small size of the organization. Lack of career development and progression opportunities.

Pros

many long term employees with feeling of family at many locations. Great work/life balance.

Cons

Limited upward mobility in some groups.

Pros

The opportunity to work in a structured enviroment where training and education for their employees was first and foremost. Very big on training and education for all levels of personnel.

Cons

Disappointed with the promotional aspects as it seemed to a fast track to those that were on the inside track or had mentors that further those individuals careers.

Advice to Senior Management

I would make sure that the opportunities that are offered to the entire organization is done with merit and achievement.

Pros

Same level collegues extemely personable

Cons

Managers' attitudes and comments never positive reagrdless of performance, even if bending over backwards