Pros
The learning and development department has good people. They have tried to change the company's culture in a positive way. However, what is taught in class is quickly devoured and ultimately expelled by the current culture. There have been numerous enumerations of culture change. None has endured.
Cons
Do a search of the worst companies to work for and you will most likely see Sears at the top of the rankings. The most recent (annual) internal company survey for our department was dismal in spite of the fact that the company makes a push to increase corporate engagement levels a few weeks prior to the survey. The overall employee engagement score was 30%, much lower than the average score for retailers in the United States with 39% of the respondents stating they were ‘actively disengaged’ and 27% were ‘disengaged’. Only 9% (including management) were ‘highly engaged’. I wished I had done my research prior to joining this company. All of the articles and reviews citing Sears among the worst to work for are true. Our team members are watched by Big Brother at all times, offered little to no benefits and paid poorly with no opportunity to advance in their wages (wage freeze). Turnover is among the highest in the industry. Upper management is, as a general rule, engaged in political infighting with each senior VP and senior directors back-stabbing one another in a gruesome manner. This behavior is then applauded and encouraged among their direct reports. What is a reprehensible act in most organizations is seen as passionate engagement and highly encouraged by senior management. Here are some figures from the 2014 survey: • Only 15% felt they were paid fairly for their contributions to the company (management and new employees +90 days were invited to participate). • 20% felt their current position was sufficient to increase changes for advancement. • 26% rarely think about leaving Sears to work somewhere else. • 18% feels favoritism (politics) is a concern in their work area. • 23% feels their performance has a significant impact on their pay.