IBM

New technology if you can find a way to get involved with it.

No motivators other than “be lucky to have a job.”

No yearly pay increase. Once you’re hired in, getting a raise is next to impossible, even for stellar work. You get great reviews but keep the same salary, year after year. So you’re essentially working for less money due to inflation and when the cost of living goes up each year.

I’ve been working for IBM for 10 years. I was hired in at $100k and received great reviews for doing more, growing my skillset, advancing IBM’s client base and technical position. In those 10 years, I’ve received a couple of $1200 profit-sharing bonuses and a 1% pay increase, and one 2% pay increase... in 10 years.

So I’m essentially making about 17% less than when I started. (My money doesn’t go as far as it did 10 years ago; it doesn’t pay the same amount of bills).

And management always says “maybe next year,” year after year, until burnout sets in. Our careers have been damaged from the emotional and mental torture that working for a company like this does to you.

Please, please don't be so greedy that the execs get raises and bonuses, but the little guys get shafted. Treat your employees better, not just in words and free links to meditation websites, but bring back an HMO option for insurance. Offer better insurance choices for the employees, not for the benefit of the clients or insurance companies. Give loyal employees motivation in compensation, not just tell them you follow 'an industry standard.' Treat your employees well; train them so they can leave, but treat them so they want to stay.