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The opportunity is exceptional but you must be willing to trade your self-respect for the experience. - Account Executive VMware Employee Review

2.0
4 Jun 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A GREAT deal is expected of the employees and while this is exhausting, it also leads to great professional skills growth. If you can survive at AirWatch, you can thrive anywhere else. While at AirWatch I had the opportunity to work with some of the brightest, most creative and hardworking people I've ever known. Also, the product is good, adequate training is available and the office is conveniently located. Finally, the company knows how to throw a party! Seriously, the Christmas party and other celebrations should NOT be missed.

Cons

I saw the company grow from a start-up through the acquisition by VMWare. After 2 years, I had to leave or risk my psychological health. While there are a great number of "cons" (which I will list below) they all stem from the philosophy that intimidation, condescension and verbal abuse are the foundation of a Leadership strategy. AirWatch has some of the brightest minds in Atlanta working under their logo, however the employees are consistently told that their contributions are irrelevant to the business and leadership. The attitude that any employee, regardless of historical performance, could be easily replaced by a trained circus animal, tomorrow...stems from the top. Middle management tries to shield their employees from this hostility when possible, but if they want to keep their jobs the message must be delivered regularly. Cons - 1. No work life balance. 2. Financial compensation well below industry standard 3. The benefit package (PTO, insurance, 401k) is a bad joke 4. Increased responsibility is "awarded" but never accompanied by a base pay raise. 5. Travel is required over weekends and holidays 6. Business changes are instituted without necessary consideration of consequences 7. Unprofessional management communication is common (yelling, condescension, dismissal of employees needs/concerns) 8. The "Open office" concept is taken to the extreme. 9. VERY few women in leadership positions

Explore other reviews about VMware

5.0
24 Jun 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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