This company has a huge disconnect between middle management and direct supervisors. - Chemical Engineer Eastman Employee Review

2.0
May 2, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible work schedule allows employees to work four 9 hour days and have a half day off every Friday. Direct technical supervision is really good to work for.

Cons

Although the direct supervision is competent, their hands are typically tied by the other 6 levels of management above them. The pyramid of management at Eastman is ridiculous and the amount of overhead that they require to run a company is overkill. These various layers of management are completely disconnected from the rest of the plant, yet make many of the decisions that directly affect day-to-day activity. These people seem to be put into their positions, not because they are qualified, but because of who they are related to through marriage or who they went to high school with. Eastman, being in a small town, is overrun by nepotism. Do not expect any reward for your personal accomplishments. Eastman rewards based on the fact that "Your hard work will not go unnoticed. It will pay off in the long run." but the long run is on a 15-20 year scale for this company. This, in addition to drastic cuts to the benefits package that retroactively affected current employees, is why the turnover is high for employees in the past 2-3 years.

Explore other reviews about Eastman

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

High pay and good learning environment

Cons

Interview process is kind of difficult

4.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Friendly, helpful colleagues. Vast variety of opportunities for engineers, especially younger ones. Actively supporting the communities where we live and work. Recent changes in management have restored positive outlook.

Cons

A lot of eggs are in the circular-economy basket rather than having the risk more evenly distributed among our product streams. We've lost a lot of talent recently to other businesses, partly because of unhappiness with former management but partly because of pay. Annual pay increases exist but have not even come close to keeping up with inflation.

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