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Smart Tech, Awkward Ratings

Advisory Software Engineer
Former Employee
Worked at IBM for 20 years
September 22, 2016
Littleton, Massachusetts
2.0
Doesn't RecommendDoesn't Approve of CEO
Pros

Of course, IBM is large, so things may be different depending on where you reside.

Plenty of interesting technology to work with. They are very flexible with work schedule and location. Smart people for peers.

Although the benefits are declining in value, they are still pretty good.

Cons

They still use a standard distribution method to rate employees. The manager typically provides a review, which is different than a rating, then you are rated. Theoretically, the rating is correlated to the review. However, each group is given a distribution of ratings that have to be applied to the employees. Most people get average. But every group needs to have an underperformer. You can have a review of "walks on water" and still get an average rating.

Advice to Management

Concentrate on your business clients and your employees. It seems right now you are only looking to impress Wall Street.

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