3M reviews

3.7

66% would recommend to a friend

(5,853 total reviews)
avatar

William M. Brown

48% approve of CEO

47% positive business outlook

3M has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 5,853 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The 3M employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Manufacturing industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

6K reviews
4.0
Sep 3, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits package. The technologies are interesting and there is great potential to combine 3M technologies to create new products and markets.

Cons

There is a undervaluation of technical expertise at 3M. People who spend an inordinate portion of their time making Powerpoint presentations for upper management advance and those who make massive technical contributions see their careers stagnate. 3M management lets the tail wag the dog in pushing the quality initiative de jour so pervasively that it greatly impedes progress and development. The company reacts to change at a glacial pace and fails to react quickly when markets change. They empire build and then resort to layoffs and write-offs once the tide changes and they've missed the boat.

4.0
Sep 2, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Co-workers across the company are a great asset and willing to help others even those in different divisions or business groups. If you are willing to relocate, there opportunities are there for your taking.

Cons

Typical large company bureacracy. Decisions are slow to come by and often too late to meet the market demands. Need to give middle managers the ability to make higher level decisions and then be accountable for them.

2.0
Aug 20, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people to work with, many smart scientists and engineers from all disciplines available for advice and collaboration. Many exciting technical areas of work. When the job reqs arent frozen, if unsatisfied at one place one would be able to switch jobs to a completly different area without having to leave the company (keeping all the benefits and vacations).

Cons

This might be true for any large company, but it is really hard to stand out for a raise. The promotions/raise system is set up in such a way to keep everyone below industry median pay at all times. Not very competative. Little reward for doing an awesome job or 'performing at a much higher level'. It's like communism, everyone is the same, which rewards lazy people and chases away great workers that are willing to fight and take risks (what 3M needs most now). It used to be that 3M paid their employees less but offered more intangible benefits like a secure job, flexible hours and a more freedom for research. These benefits are gone, and the pay stays low.

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