Ford

Good pay, OK benefits. Time off was generous when I first started, and if I had to work extra, I was usually given comp time, and nobody watched the clock. If you get your work done and you're helping lift your organization, then you do get somewhat recognized and rewarded for it. The Christmas holiday shutdown was a bonus.

I was blindsided by a somewhat random layoff at the end of June 2023, after getting great reviews, an additional compensation adjustment, and being told I was a valued asset to the organization. I guess I was making too much, or my age was a factor. For Ford to say that they don't practice ageism is a flat-out lie.

Check out the local news headlines. There are lawsuits that have been filed against Ford by people who are close to getting their 30 years and full pension. Apparently, the concept of being in the "Ford Family" is also a lie. Don't buy into it. They don't reward loyalty or experience anymore. One executive mentioned in a Town Hall that "Ford doesn't have a healthy amount of turnover".

Now, everyone is looking over their shoulder and waiting for the shoe to drop again. The quality of their vehicles is a joke. They had been in first place in the recall category in 2022 and 2023. Funny thing is, the so-called leaders have ended up blaming all the bad employees for this situation they are now in. Some great leadership, huh?

You used to empower employees to do what's right and encouraged speaking truth to power. Now, if you so much as say anything that hurts their fragile egos, you get put on the next round of layoffs list. They want mindless minions working for them, which basically means they'll be a mediocre company that may be irrelevant in the near future.