Avantages
Amazing people - top in their fields, intelligent, hard working, team players. Management was also great - people of integrity dedicated to doing what is right for patients. They also made great efforts to reduce bureaucratic BS, although they were losing ground on this battle as the company grew. The technology was also so fun to work on. Very cool to work with robotic technology. The company shared profits generously with employees while I was there, offering great ISO plan and ESPP plan. Later, the ISO plan was replaced with RSUs. I especially loved that I worked there during periods of rapid growth when there were great career growth opportunities, so I was able to learn, grow, and be challenged.
Inconvénients
Very high pressure and intense. The company regularly set performance goals with inflexible due dates due on Dec 31st. Bonuses were tied to these goals, so there was a strong disincentive to take days off over the holidays. I nearly always experienced strong pressure against taking vacation, and any vacation meant working extra upon returning to make up for lost time. The company also adhered to a traditional and outdated management philosophy that does not incorporate recent decades of knowledge on human psychology and health. For example, the walls, carpets and cubicles were all beige. There was no art, except in reception areas, and no windows, except in conference rooms where all blinds were pulled over windows. This aesthetic was chosen to prevent people from being distracted from their work. This was also a very difficult place to work when I was pregnant and upon return from maternity leave.