My work enthusiasm is close to zero. It's time for a more active search for a new job, especially since there are rumors of new layoffs. What's strange is that the management isn't even trying to stop anyone from leaving, but at the same time they think that later on they will be able to attract the brightest talent. Where's the logic in that?
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@nmch Ford has GlassDoor take down bad reviews
Everybody Ford has mistreated should go on Glassdoor and give them a bad rating, warn people about working for them.
@1pne+1nLmeCQm While I agree on most of your comment, you left out a couple of "groups" in your rant: the nerds and the above 50 non pensioned crowd.
I've known people that, even if they are not the brightest in social situations, dedicate a lot of their time to their jobs. Some of them have weird quirks and habits, but they take their time to dig deep down in the technology they support or use, becoming very knowledgeable in their positions. There are a couple of them that I know them personally, and I am pretty sure they stay at Ford because they don't like going into interviews or any other "social" interaction. Technically, they are great, but I am not even sure they could get easily hire in another company due to their quirks.
The other group includes me, so I'll talk more about my personal experience at Ford. I used to be fu----g good, and I'd get job offers constantly. I worked in a few companies and in many interested projects. At one point, I got the possibility to get into Ford with a good compensation, and found many nice and knowledgeable Ford employees at that time (before the Hatchet & Farley duo clowns, but after the 2008 recession).
The position was technically interesting, and the money good enough. My main thought was that I could actually retire at Ford, and have a good job while waiting for that moment. That's why I regrettable accepted the rusting of my skills, since the company forced me into a very narrowly specialized position.
Years passed by, and I have made attempts to leave the company. I got my reality check then and now: most companies prefer cheap and young workers over experienced ones. Can I get a job in another company? Absolutely YES! Can I get the same salary, perks and comfort? Absolutely NOT! So the question that has been in my mind for the last few years is ... should I stay for the money or run after a "vanishing" short term career? I chose and still choose money, thank you very much.
I know other Ford employees going through the same. They previously had good careers, accepted high ranked technical positions at Ford, and hoped for retirement in this company. They are also choosing money, and putting their families over their careers, even if it means dealing with the Ford cr@p.
Regarding the performance, I believe those employees are going through the same thing than me: we are bored. We are not allowed to take on more workload (for political reasons), we already carry our teams, we have to seat on too many meetings, we realize our management pitfalls (but we cannot do much about it), and we churn slower because we are no longer individual contributors, but cogs in the Ford company. Now, as you may already know, being a capable cog means waiting for the less capable cogs to do their tasks. Just to give you an example, only in this week, I am waiting for the responses of 5 other cogs (each one is delaying a different task) so I can continue my work. So we get bored.
Now, I won't cry or offended about any of this. My generation was raised differently. This was, and still is, a conscious choice. I can live with it. Anyway, I just wrote all that (remember, I am bored) to let you know that there is still some talent left in the ranks at Ford, at least until the next layoff. Not the best, certainly not enough, but we'll have to do for now, because I don't think more talent will be joining FMC, until we fire all the C-suite due to gross incompetence.
@3bnw+1nLmeCQm. Is that why Toyota and Honda make such high quality vehicles - because of their diversity?
What should be required are masters degrees in gender studies, climate change, and social engineering.
Math is racist.
It is a proven fact that diverse teams make better decisions than homologous teams.
Oakland University has a PhD in various engineering disciplines that you can do at night.
There are others.
I was in a PhD program at U of M very briefly when I chose to get hired in at the Rawsonville Plant (EFHD). It was a good plant to find improvement projects but I couldn't handle both. I may have made the wrong choice.
I have never heard of getting a PhD in night school. There are a lot of "PhD light" programs that have popped up recently though.
A neighbor with no teaching experience just got hired as a teacher based on recommendations and an acceptance letter to Western Michigan's online Masters program in education. I find this surprising.
There is an extremely high cost to hiring people because of their race or gender instead of merit.
I thought we were past discriminatory practices. I guess not… if they fit your political agenda.
That's incredible that you are earning a PhD while employed full time. I considered it briefly but all the programs I found basically 'insisted' that the candidates be full time students. And that wouldnt work within my budget haha.
If Ford didn't see your value I am sure someone else will. L
I think Ford is working to balance affordability and diversity into their workforce. That's why we're seeing many jobs being off-shored and the new hires / promotions in FNA include more people of color.
"Does Ford want the brightest ones working here or not?"
Apparently not, if your age and what you are is not correct.
I went to night school while at Ford for a PhD in a very difficult engineering field. 4.0 GPA for my classes. Will graduate next summer.
I was given the "your skills and abilities are inadequate for our needs" speech in June.
@1pne. This “ And lastly a very small number of actual high performers from other states come to Ford because they make a mistake, get lured in by Ford PR stories, etc. They go running within 5 years”. Rings true. I got su-kered thinking how bad really could it be and relocated to MI. OMG a team of 18 people and NONE could find their own tail bone. I believed leadership wanted to change the group; worked hard; automated jobs; trained FCGs. All the while getting backstabbed and sabotaged by the 18 others, and pretty much zero support from leadership, As soon as my kids were out of high school quit Ford (we had promised them they could stay at one high school). 5 years at Ford was a lifetime of pulling dead weight. Oh and yes that entire team is still there with the exception of two that are in coffins.
Not even specific to Ford, but why would an employee without a pension feel obligated to be loyal to any company, especially when at the most basic level, companies (are supposed to) do what’s in the best interest of the shareholders (not employees)?
Today's Generation will have no loyalty to any company. It might be the type of company they want to work for, and it is like a double edge sword. There will be a noticeable difference between today's and past generations. The new generation will find a new job and never return. This new generation may give this company a taste of its own medicine.
@1pne+1nLmeCQm Is that you Doug Field or Jim Farley?
They have never hired the best before - I don't know why they would start hiring the best now or in the future.
Get real and be honest with yourself. People come to Ford who live and have family in southeast Michigan area. Not the brightest, not the best, just people who want to continue living around their parents, siblings, and friends!
A small percentage of employees come from out of state, who are at the bottom half of their graduating class (in engineering, finance, HR, etc.) These are people who need a job and are willing to move to Michigan. Face it - they don't come here for the weather, the beaches, or the big city environment (have you actually driven thru Detroit? It is a sewer with a huge amount of people in the local media telling/trying to brainwash everyone else how great it is there. But then the media go live in Bloomfield Hills, etc.)
And lastly a very small number of actual high performers from other states come to Ford because they make a mistake, get lured in by Ford PR stories, etc. They go running within 5 years.
But you keep telling yourself that you are the best and the brightest. Apparently it makes you feel good. Maybe you have parents who never told you the truth about your performance. They just kept telling you your whole life that you deserve a trophy and they made noise/trouble until the coaches gave you a trophy. Now you are here at Ford telling yourself the same thing - how great and wonderful you are and Ford would have to be crazy to get rid of YOU. Sure thing pal.
I bet you any money you get offended after reading the truth here, give this message a down arrow and then force yourself not to cry for the rest of the day because you are such a high performing winner. And how dare someone challenge you! Don't cry too much - a bunch of other losers like you will attack me after reading this supporting you. It will make you feel so much better that you are not alone in the world - that there are others at Ford who believe and thing as you do - but you will never understand that your fellow supporters are just like you. I will take pride in knowing that I was right after every down arrow or every negative response to my message.
By the way, your work enthusiasm is close to zero -- not because of Ford but because of YOU! If you had any personal pride, integrity, or self-worth you would be going out and finding a new job that gave you what you seem to think you are worth - not writing/crying here on a website that Ford doesn't value how great you are to them. I'm pretty sure Ford has bigger problems than worrying about your personal psychological problems.
And if somehow Ford survives the next few years/decade and you are still employed at Ford, I am sure you will become one of Ford's finest complaining how nobody wants to buy American cars/trucks (because you are owed more of course at everyone else's expense). That is exactly what Ford's finest have been saying for the past 50 plus years. Or Ford will get paid off by the federal government, and you will become just like a GM employee demanding more and more each year (while doing less and less with each passing year) while you complain about welfare, govt social programs, etc.
Not. They want the cheapest ones that can steal another company's technology. The Ford way!
"Only new talent I have seen come in stick around for a year or two and then that leave."
Pensions don't exist any more for new hires so there's really no advantage to stay if you can get more money doing more enjoyable work in a nicer geography.
Just like everything else they do, don’t look at the facts and data just go with their BS beliefs they tell each other like people are scratching at their door to get in and work there. Instead, people are scratching to get out as soon as possible. The only talent that they have left is the people that are still stuck there because of their pensions and are trying to make it to the end without getting fired and screwed out of their pensions. Like they have done to so many people does far. Only new talent I have seen come in stick around for a year or two and then that leave. What an unethical, ruthless company it has turned into.
This company is a mere shell of its former self. I warn anyone with career aspirations and a brain do not go to Ford. Your true intellect (not the fake kind that gathers other’s work and puts it in a PPT) will be deemed a threat and you will end up nowhere. Go somewhere where your merit and intelligence will reward you, not punish you like at Ford.
Nope - going on all in on wokism with the rush to BEV’s has messed with Ford’s financials, which are really bad at the moment. So at this time they want the cheapest, not the best. At that point , Fords downfall will become a self fulfilling prophecy.
Ford Management is stuck in the 1950s mentality where they think Ford has power and people are clamoring to work at Ford. Delusional group think has legs. It’s so sad its hilarious to watch.