Used to be Great, Now They're Not - Senior Inventory Analyst Caterpillar Employee Review

1.0
27 Apr 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good Pay, Friendly People, Lot's of Career Choices, Free Week off in Dec between Christmas and New Years

Cons

Let me say I'm writing this from what would be a middle management perspective. I started entry level and have worked my way into a global team level. So, when I started with CAT about a decade ago, one of the draws was the hybrid schedule. Two days from home, three in the office. CAT is doing away completely with that model as of June 2025 via the executive office. Additionally, leadership has clearly demonstrated through actions that they don't care about the employees anymore, only the bottom dollar. Employees are regularly screwed on job performance reviews because they can only give out so many "above expectations," per group. I exceeded ever only of my goals by more than double this year, and got a "met expectations," because our group didn't have enough to give out. The company has also been screwing employees on STIP bonuses (yearly bonus) by cutting STIP factors dramatically when time comes to pay out. Jobs are outsourcing rapidly to Brazil, Mexico, and India, while US based employees are expected to pick up the slack those moves create, AND to fix all the problems created by inexperienced offshore resources. You constantly live in fear of "Will I have a job next week," since leadership regularly have program directives like "Project Dolphin," (real thing) that aims at reducing headcount, regardless of how many people might actually be needed. I watched them a month ago, just out of nowhere, cut a guy on his 20th service anniversary. What a reward for 20 years of service. More evidence that the company doesn't care is seen in the day-to-day, They can't be bothered to provide free food, coffee, or any small amenities in the office. In fact, they go so far as to way over-charge for these things. The offices are lifeless and dull with an extremely corporate feeling. Huddle rooms and conference rooms are a joke with "calling from a bathroom stall," vibe and only offering 1/2 the tech you need, forcing many to have meetings from their noisy desks. The expectations are to give your life to them, be at their call at all hours, and they return that by trying to find ways to get rid of you for a cheaper option. Caterpillar used to have a good culture and you felt valued. I strongly encourage folks to stay clear of this one. I hope the new CEO changes that direction, but from what I've seen from him so far, I'm not holding my breath.

Explore other reviews about Caterpillar

5.0
7 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great benefits Great WLB Great pay

Cons

Low mobility to move up within company

2.0
10 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good health insurance and benefits, good yearly bonuses. The pay is good.

Cons

They are enforcing returning to office by any means necessary. They have lost many high-quality producers who have refused to relocate or refuse to come in. Here's the kicker - they are requiring in-person attendance at the Chicago office and there aren't even enough desks for everyone. It would be a literal fire hazard if we all came into the Chicago office at the same time, M-F, during business hours. No one knows how or if they are going to actually enforce this. Cost of gas is insane, Joe doesn't care about the workers. Or the work for that matter. It's obvious this is a soft layoff, they have made a bunch of people quit. Their internal design agency is falling apart, lots of people have quit, not only because of return to office but because of the toxic politics, favoritism, and lack of direction and accountability. Mediocre workers are allowed to keep their jobs ONLY because of their ability to put their bodies in a chair and work in-person. The other relocation option HR gave besides Chicago was Peoria. No one wants to live in Peoria for any reason whatsoever, be for real.

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