Toxic company with a hostile environment - werkgeversreview Scientist bij SVT Associates

SVT Associates is remarkably good at hiding its reputation to customers, colleagues, and prospective employees. Poor Management: Management is inundated by an egotistical, self-satisfying, and micro-managing motive. The management hierarchy within SVT is a two-tiered structure with the owner governing all operations and two managers for the systems manufacturing and lab sections. All other employees fall below these tiers. Employee hours are scrutinized; the calendar is recorded daily by camera. The lack of clarity in directives by management that is compounded by intra-management politics, results in inefficient and misdirected work that is subsequently blamed on employees and causes a high-tension and noticeably hostile environment. False Representation of Work Agreement: The owner requires new employees to sign a Non-disclosure Agreement with a 50-state No-Compete Clause (with a 1.5 year duration) after they have already begun to work at the company. Employees have no knowledge of this “required” agreement until after they have committed to work for SVT. No Career Development: There is very little to no room for career advancement. Personal career growth is often stifled by incessant finger-pointing leading to a self-preservation mentality. Raises are given on a review basis determined arbitrarily by the owner (i.e., demotions are also employed). Bonuses depend on the financial status of the company. High Turnover Rate: The employee turnover rate is high: 17% – 25% per year. If an employee is underperforming, the response of management is to demote with a significant pay-cut in order to maintain an appearance of a good retention record. Financial Problems: With an ~17 year history of federal government funded grant income but nearly no commercial product generation, and very little intellectual property, the incoming grants have become scarce despite the large yearly volume of proposal submissions. Lack of sufficient funding is a constant stress in the already hostile environment. Poorly Maintained Equipment: The ability to perform well in the lab is drastically impaired due to old and non-functioning equipment coupled with a resistance in management to repair, upgrade, or invest in necessary tools for the work required. It is often claimed that finances prevent the improvement or purchase of equipment, yet the demand for high-level work remains. This disparity leads to inefficiencies and blame that blends with the other issues mentioned above. This is particularly the case with the owner’s push for increasing intellectual property generation. Intellectual property is required to be signed over to the owner through the NDA without compensation or co-ownership. Lawsuits: SVT is often involved in litigation that is either brought on by disgruntled consumers having been delivered a non-functional system or by SVT itself chasing revenue through any means possible.