My experience at ASM has been significantly impacted by what I perceive to be a highly political and unsupportive workplace culture. In particular, interactions with some senior leaders within the People function have often felt adversarial rather than developmental.
A substantial amount of time is spent in meetings focused on defending decisions, addressing allegations that appear insufficiently substantiated, or navigating internal politics rather than advancing meaningful work. This environment can leave employees feeling exhausted, demoralized, and disengaged.
Employees who raise concerns through HR channels may also lack confidence that their feedback will be handled independently or confidentially. As a result, some individuals may feel reluctant to speak openly about workplace issues.
The cumulative effect of these challenges appears to contribute to retention concerns. Several high-performing employees have expressed a desire to leave, citing workplace culture and limited opportunities for meaningful, value-adding work as key factors. In my view, sustainable improvement would require stronger accountability, greater psychological safety, and a more constructive leadership approach across the organization.
