Advice from an oldtimer. Things have changed from when I was young, when working hard meant something. Now, you need to work smart. If you're too good at what you do, your superior could see you as a threat and then you're done for. Just do what you have to, no more, no less. You have a better chance of both saving your job and getting promoted that way.
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Sadly I would concur with OP for all the areas at Ford where I have worked.
The mistake most people make when they see their boss or coworkers mistreating other coworkers is that they think they are special and that the victim deserves the treatment. What they later come to realize is that the boss and coworkers just hadn’t got to them yet. By the time their number is up they typically have participated in mistreating others so they can’t go to HR with clean hands. Yup saw this play out for decades.
The percentage of narcissistic, self centered LL6+ is astoundingly high at Ford. They feed the Ford cancer of mediocrity as they hire people who do not threaten their egos, and also hire friends and family of LL5, LL4, LL3, LL2 to ingratiate themselves with higher ups. As a result the Ford bus is overflowing with the wrong people. To compensate for the incompetent people and total lack of hiring discipline layers and layers of bureaucracy were created and continually expanded.
Ford group talk and group think feeds the Ford arrogance that all the people on the Ford bus are brilliant, special and better than everyone else. In the end actions and results speak the truth.
Like the previous poster. I too have worked in the auto industry for over 30+ yrs. both Ford and GM. Each dog has its days and Ford had their best in the 80s and 90s. Down hill since F2000. Allan managed to put a spark into the place but after he left the Billy managed to creep back in and sc--w it up again. Never seen a guy so out of touch with the customer base as the family. Elena.. What a piece of work take away her last name she would be lucky to clean toilets. Focus on quality & products people want. Leave the politics out of it. Nobody cares what you think Billy.
I have worked at several companies over the last 43+ years. My last 16 have been with Ford.
Not sure where the poster works but I have never experienced such things at Ford. Some supervisor will try to hold you back, but in most instances because you are hard to replace. You are working smart, not working hard. There is a big difference.
if you do have a narcissists for a supervisor, you may need to look for a new position.
Life isn't fair and sometime you just have to pick your battles. Always choose the ones you have the best shot at winning.
My advice is to continually build your skillset. This is portable though your entire career.
If you are young, don't anticipate you will work for one company you entire career. That is a very big mistake. It may lead to the bitterness you see in some of the posts.
Looking back over my career, I was very lucky to have work for several companies. Don't misunderstand, there were some very difficult times however whenever I started with a new company I was able to increase my skillset which lead to significant salary increases at later in my career. Experience matters when you are in the market for a new position. You must also know how to market those experiences.
Finally, put money away for retirement before anything else. Pensions are a thing of the past. Depend only on yourself for retirement.
My career path isn't for everyone but I made it work for me.