I have been here at Gigamon since last 2 years and have seen it going to the ground day by day. Somebody posted a very detailed review about Gigamon a week back but unfortunately that is now deleted. It truly reflected epitome of Gigamon's work culture.
I echo many of points it talked about.
I have worked in few companies in bay area and east coast before coming to Gigamon but never has seen such a poor quality of architects/distinguished engineers that Gigamon has. They learnt an art of keeping upper management happy without owning and delivering anything on the ground. Question need to be asked to them is "how many people have you mentored in a year" and "how many people stop by you on daily basis to ask questions and seek help". Answer is NONE. Asking questions is not celebrated and disagreement is a big no no. If you shows your disapproval to any of their idea, you are finished and they will come after you. Most of the engineers have understood this non verbal agreement.
First line managers are essentially like a line managers who has no power to make any decision and always in agreement with their bosses. They run their own agenda and work hard to please upper management on the cost of the team. Building a winning team concept is unheard of. To the team, they act as dis-abler and team get to be productive on days when they are not in the office. Engineers are supposed to provide status to multiple people in a day ..VFT, line manager, director and in some cases to program managers. Micro management has gone to next lever here. Management thinks engineers time is most dispensable and anybody can summon them for unaccountable time. Authority is celebrated.
Teams work in silos and blame game across teams is common.
Product management has no idea about the product road map. Many of good product manager's were laid off.
Company laid off recently 15% of workforce and everybody is in fear that they could be next. Management is feeling more empowered and taking benefit of this fear environment and giving unreasonable goals to the team.
Favoritism and nepotism is very common and people are very much aware of who is inner circle and who is not. Nothing to do with expertise and knowledge to succeed here. It is all about contacts. Promotion is based on who you know and how well you can talk.
Mass exodus is happening.
