employer cover photo
employer logo

Profitable business model, but dysfunctional work environment - Anonymous employee Covidien Employee Review

2.0
13 Jul 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Covidien offers the compensation and benefits package that you'd expect from a larger corporation. Everyone gets a PPO health plan - no high deductible nonsense. There is a progressive premium structure; make more, pay more. You can further reduce your rates by going for a physical and taking an on-line health assessment There is also a dental plan and a vision plan. All benefits start on day one. Even if you don't contribute to your 401k, Covidien will contribute 3% of your salary. If you do, they'll kick in up to 3% more. You can purchase Covidien stock at a discount. There is also an on campus gym (for a nominal fee), multiple cafeterias with subsidized meals, and discounts on cell phone plans and software. I had no problem getting the salary that I requested. Most of the people tend to be nice, and the facilities (save a couple of the buildings) are in great shape.

Cons

Covidien is too large to generalize the experience everyone will have, but be forewarned that the company's business model can lead to frustrating situations for some employees. The model essentially revolves around acquiring profitable companies and trying to integrate them into the large conglomerate. The problem is that resources aren't sufficiently allocated to improve and update the existing company infrastructure. Covidien is profiting from its acquisitions, so why bother spending the money to modernize internal functions? Namely, this means that the IS department is in the dark ages. Functions like advanced data extraction that would normally be handled by IS units fall upon business analysts and managers. If you work with data be prepared for a very cumbersome process unlike the business systems and data analysis tools you've used at previous roles.

Explore other reviews about Covidien

5.0
2 Mar 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good pay benefit and work life balance

Cons

None none none none none

3.0
26 May 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pay is competitive for many of the positions. Benefits are pretty good-medical, dental, vision, 401K HR department is committed to ensuring a respectful workplace so don't be afraid to speak up if you are mistreated by a manager or coworker. Overall fair treatment of employees is observed Focus on improvement activities like Kaizen and Six Sigma.

Cons

Communications from corporate are general and vague and major changes are not communicated very well-the 'rumor mill' will portent a major change (like the pharma division being spun off of the larger Covidien) but communication to employees can be spotty around these issues. Getting promoted can be a mysterious and unclear process - not that many promotions from within. It happens but not as much as it ought to. Too much of a focus on hiring outside candidates. Poor focus on talent development - not enough apprenticeships and interns. Finding a path for 'career development' can be a challenge - you have to do it yourself. Sometimes an excessive focus on financial results to the expense of other things, like employee morale. The manufacturing facilities often seem to be treated like the red-headed stepchildren by the corporate office - resources withheld from the Plants while corporate indulges in elaborate holiday celebrations and excessive numbers of Vice Presidents. Job security appears to be better at the Plants than at Corporate

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All