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Covidien

Acquired by Medtronic

Is this your company?

My advice: Be adaptable and watch out for HR - Product Manager Covidien Employee Review

4.0
Aug 21, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Decisions are usually (not always) strategic, market/marketing-driven decisions. 2. A strong compliance culture has been developed. 3. There has been a lot of investment in R&D especially for Emerging Markets. 4. Some of the acquisitions strengthened the company. 5. Some (not all) of the GBUs are great - innovative products that meet the needs of HCPs and patients, strategic decisions with good execution.

Cons

1. Covidien is constantly changing - acquire a company, divest a business, change our company name, this is our strategy, no this is our new strategy, focus on this product, now focus on this product, we're moving manufacturing to another country, your business unit now reports to another business unit. Yes change is a good thing but it is exhausting when anything / everything is in flux. 2. The organization is too top-heavy - far too many Directors, Senior Directors and Vice-Presidents and not enough worker bees. 3. Some GBUs are too focused on the US - take a step back and think about where your future growth is going to come from, the US or OUS? 4. The benefits were good but the salary was not good - HR says they compensate at industry standards. They don't. 5. Career opportunities were ok under some managers and non-existant under other managers. 6. HR is not on your side. Ever.

Explore other reviews about Covidien

5.0
Mar 2, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay benefit and work life balance

Cons

None none none none none

3.0
May 26, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay is competitive for many of the positions. Benefits are pretty good-medical, dental, vision, 401K HR department is committed to ensuring a respectful workplace so don't be afraid to speak up if you are mistreated by a manager or coworker. Overall fair treatment of employees is observed Focus on improvement activities like Kaizen and Six Sigma.

Cons

Communications from corporate are general and vague and major changes are not communicated very well-the 'rumor mill' will portent a major change (like the pharma division being spun off of the larger Covidien) but communication to employees can be spotty around these issues. Getting promoted can be a mysterious and unclear process - not that many promotions from within. It happens but not as much as it ought to. Too much of a focus on hiring outside candidates. Poor focus on talent development - not enough apprenticeships and interns. Finding a path for 'career development' can be a challenge - you have to do it yourself. Sometimes an excessive focus on financial results to the expense of other things, like employee morale. The manufacturing facilities often seem to be treated like the red-headed stepchildren by the corporate office - resources withheld from the Plants while corporate indulges in elaborate holiday celebrations and excessive numbers of Vice Presidents. Job security appears to be better at the Plants than at Corporate

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