Pros
JCB is a well renowned brand that will sit well on your CV. The pension scheme is fairly good compared to other organisations
Cons
Fixed holidays - there's literally no flexibility. You might think it's something you can put up with. But consider the following: Fancy that bargain holiday you've just seen? Think again, JCB's fixed holidays are all within peak periods when holidays are most expensive. How about that bank holiday off to spend with friends & family at a BBQ - Nope. You don't get bank holidays. A cheeky random day off to spend with friends at Alton Towers, or a friends wedding - sadly not. There is no flexibility. In fact, I've seen people get frowned upon for even asking the question. Salary disparity - JCB have a problem with recognising and rewarding talent. It will be a given, that a PA whose job is to answer the phone, make tea and schedule a meeting will be on 10k more than someone who is critical to the business such as legal compliance. Your colleagues working in the same team, and working on the same project in equal measures with the same skill set will be 10-15k more, or less than you. If you're a graduate looking to join JCB, you'll start on around 27k, this will increase to around 30k once you complete your scheme. From there, you will sit on 30k for the rest of your career. For apprentices, it's much, much lower. There are organisations that will start you on much more, and will follow a promotional structure. You should be aiming for 38-42k for an average office salaried position, yoh will never reach anywhere near this point at JCB. The working conditions - JCB looks beautiful on the outside. The reception areas are polished marble and shiny. But step beyond the reception areas, and it's next level grim. The whole infrastructure beyond the glittering reception areas are a disgrace. The walls are dirty, the canteen facility is old, dated and poor, the carpets are filthy, the office chairs are disgusting, the toilets are rank, there are no break out areas to wash your cups or put your lunch in a fridge or microwave facilities. The desks are old, cheap and tacky. If you're looking for a long term career with job security and stability - avoid JCB at all costs. JCB is renowned for making mass redundancies every 2-4 years - GUARANTEED! Honestly, you really need to do your homework on this one and think very carefully. Even if you survive the next mass redundancy. The atmosphere for the couple of months the redundancy process is occurring is unbearable. If you don't think you will ever suffer with anxiety, trust me, this will give you a dose of it if you work here. You won't know whether you are coming or going. I'm actually surprised mortgage lenders and finance organisations haven't black listed JCB yet. Redundancies happen here far too often for. You can ask any local. Once a reputation, always a reputation and currently in 2021, JCB are struggling to recruit 500 shop floor positions because of their reputation in the local area.
