Vantaggi
At the time, benefits were competitive, 401k match up to 3% plus 3.5% separately company funded. Very difficult to get fired - even very bad employees were shuffled from department to department, failing their way up and across. Matrix allows a more genuine conversation about employees goals, not just companys goals, however middle managers have little power to act on this. Pay was very precisely average, they've done their homework. If you are looking to coast, it's very easy to sandbag, act busy, and be left alone. HR will eventually step in if you aren't promoted for long enough - genuine career path for the lazy/inept.
Svantaggi
Benefits have been under a squeeze for years, PTO plan is subpar, no dedicated sick days, so comparing to other companies vacation plan is not apples to apples. Health insurance options have been cut, everyone must use HSA now. Petty cost cutting - company wide notice that annual trainings etc. can no longer be catered, mandatory web based classes often expected to be done 'during lunch time' so that no overhead budget shows in the books, eliminated gate security at some locations, all while profits are EXPLODING Claimed culture of lateral mobility only applies if your manager already wants to get rid of you, if you fall into doing a task you don't want to do, and you succeed, you are now the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and will be kept there at all costs. MAJOR retention problems with younger employees; college hires to mid-20s, rarely last over a year. This is known to upper management who is trying to use the Raytheon 6 Sigma methodology to find a solution (more institutionalized waste) The result is a high concentration of apathetic, cynical veterans who have learned not to bother trying to affect positive change.