Company: IBM
Date: 2009-02-04
Overall rating: 4/5
Employment status: current

Fair company.
Pros: This is much flexibility in working hours and work locations.  This is a big bonus as the company leaves it up to employees to find their own way of getting the work done most efficiently.  The work is interesting with a broad swatch of clients and industries.  There are lots of opportunities to learn new things, from sources as diverse as self-paced online education, mentors, and even peers.  For the junior resources, overtime is still being paid out.  Starting salaries, compared to to other players in the market, are above average.  Other IBMers are by and large nice people to work with.
Cons: The size of the company, compared to IBM US is small, making it difficult to advance quickly.  On average, Canadian staff are lower banded compared to equivalent US staff.   Compensation is not as competitive for the experienced professionals as other players in the market, and is not even as competitive as that of IBM US.  Benefits, compared to other players in the market, are at best average to below average.  Full-medical or dental is not provided - employees have to co-pay.

Canada is a smaller market, and the work is not as steady or stable as in the US.  Business cycles affect Canadians more, which also directly affects IBM more.