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Times have changed at VMware. - Anonymous employee VMware Employee Review

1.0
Apr 21, 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

VMware still employs some of the best brains in the computer industry. Many have left over the last one year. Of the ones who remain, their company makes VMware a worthwhile place to stay back and learn.

Cons

Management has changed over the past two years. As a start-up and as a small company, VMware fostered an environment of growth, exchange of ideas and innovation. This, along with an able and technologically sound leadership, had driven VMware to grow from a small start-up to a technologically rich company. The current management has, over time, engendered an opaque management system, devoid of transparency and is "process oriented". This unfortunately is hindering engineering-driven technological innovation and growth and implementation of new ideas, which in the past, have propelled VMware to success. The current management is resting on the laurels of past success without giving due credit to past management systems and the culture of openness of thought between employees and management. Other points: * increasing politics in middle management * increasing "process oriented" management * no formal promotion and career growth policies * dwindling morale amongst employees * loss of faith in management

Explore other reviews about VMware

5.0
Jun 24, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

VMware is a big company but in many ways had a startup vibe. That was great because the resources and infrastructure of a big company were there, but it gave most people I worked with freedom to work on many projects, influence, move around, and contribute in many ways. Plus, many things moved faster than they might at other companies of the same size. Perks were really great including bonuses, events on the campus, opportunities, etc.

Cons

The biggest con is the annual layoff. During most of the years I was there, we were growing like crazy, beating expectations, gaining in stock price, etc. It was always positive and upward. However, every single January, it was known that there would be a round of layoffs, even when all numbers were looking great as they almost always were. Management called it restructuring. But, over the years, some really good people were let go for no apparent reason. Then to add insult to injury, a week or two later, there would be a company quarterly meeting discussing how VMware was doing so well and is still hiring, but they had to make some changes. It always felt dishonest and the sympathy for those let go came across as disingenuous.

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