Analog Devices

I think ADI is one of the best companies out there in terms of

• how they value employees
• the camaraderie
• the amount of technical learning
• excellent work-life balance.
• The desire to keep working there! The cons below are specific to the team that I worked for (in India). I think if I had worked for ADI in the US like my previous company, I wouldn't have had those complaints. I would have loved to continue for ADI without batting an eyelid.

My work environment there was very poor

• I didn't have the bigger picture of why I was doing what I was doing unlike what I was used to in my previous company in the US. Made me feel I wasn't valued enough! Off to a very wrong start!
• I had a seriously communication-challenged manager. This is one of the worst things because a manager needs to know how to communicate!
• Always being doubted - That's the feeling I had from my interactions with my manager. Everytime I wanted to present something to him, he would look suspiciously, lowering my confidence.
• No space/independence - He would love to micro-manage. One of the most suffocating things for me especially after my last work ex where I was given the freedom to lead and my opinion was respected.
• His general demeanor wasn't pleasant or friendly and would give you the feeling that he would in general be annoyed or his response would be that of doubt and suspicion and so you better prepare yourself for that. This was very taxing.
• Cared less about the person than the job. I had health issues and an accident and despite that I stayed over time to finish work. When I was about to leave at 10 PM with him around, he asked me what would happen if I didn't leave at that time!
• Worse - I found out that some higher ups knew about these issues and yet took no urgency to correct them (e.g. speak with me and try to change who I report to etc.).
• An unanswered question that I had to myself - why are such "managers" not sent for some soft skills training!!?

When I was leaving, you had floated a company wide survey to understand employees' work experience. You need to do that more frequently and more importantly still, act on them! You're excellent in communicating stuff from higher management and your overall vision for the company and employee are great but you need to ensure that it trickles down all the way and that you have efficient people to implement these - actual managers who know how to communicate!