A great company overall; HR needs improvement
Pros
The Research and Technology center overall is a good place to work. There are opportunities to advance your career, especially if you have a master's degree or higher. I have learned a lot working here, and think it's a great way to start a career in Gas and Oil. They provide training opportunities as well. Also, the benefits package and 401k contribution is pretty good. They have a strong safety record and safety programs that are enforced very well.
Cons
Management is run differently at the Research and Technology Center than at the corporate site. I think our managers here are very good at what they do; however, the manager of human resources needs to change. She is not very professional or progressive when it comes to a research center, and employees below the supervisor level get the impression that she sees us as children that need micromanaging. We did have a different head of HR for about two years and the difference was very apparent. He was professional, and in being so gave everyone else the feeling of professionalism. A favorite saying around here is "the beatings will stop once morale improves." Management always says that they are willing to listen to the employee, and have even held meetings and such to do so. Though I have yet to see the results or outcomes of these meetings. Bonuses and raises can be very hit or miss, depending heavily on how the company is doing, and even how your department is doing that year. Some years the bonus was a few hundred dollars; this year it was a couple thousand. And as a rule, no Christmas bonuses.
