Company: IBM
Date: 2015-11-19
Overall rating: 2/5
Employment status: current
Experience level: Senior

Great Company but lags in long term salary compensation
Pros: The following review is depend on ones immediate management chains.  With few exceptions, IBM's policies and management are very flexible when it comes to working remotely or accommodating various life situations (sick days, doctor visits, etc.).   Additionally one will work with great colleagues who are extremely talented and committed to transforming the company.
Cons: Although IBM has committed to change the Performance evaluation, the jury is still out as the program is not fully implemented.  But under the old system  IBM  uses the "normal distribution" rating system, where at the end of the year each employee is ranked as a top contributor (5%), above average contributor (15%), average contributor (~75%), and bottom contributor (5%). This curve is difficult to apply as one can have a team of high performers and end up being "average contributors" at the end of the year, because there just isn't room for all to be top contributors.  This ultimately has a negative impact on salary raises as I have been a consistent "above average" rating in the last 10 years, and my raise and performance bonus were ridiculous mere 1.0-1.5 % of my salary.  To further compound the issue is IBM will provide you a "Market Range" for ones job class family.  Even though I have 10 plus yrs of "above average" rating, I'm still at at the low end of the range (73%) of the market mid point.   It's unfortunate, but IBM does loss a significant talent base due the Performance Evaluation and Salary guidelines.    

Career opportunities, while enormous, are typically limited as one needs an 'executive' sponsor who has the pull to promote one through the ranks