A Company to avoid. - Senior Engineer Arkema Employee Review

1.0
Mar 12, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

KOP facility is located in a relatively nice location at least in comparison to other chemical companies. Reasonable ability to balance work life and family life.

Cons

1. A few entrenched managers are rewarded with bonuses while the worker bees receive mediocre compensation. 2. Few advancement opportunities; these are won by brown-nosing French cronies, corporate nepotism, or affirmative action. 3. Bright engineers report to incompetent managers who constantly second guess their efforts. 4. Performance reviews are comical--almost Dilbertesque. 5. A very cliquish culture with surprisingly left-of-center employees—at least for a chemical company (French influence?) 6. Recent company survey rated management and company morale as very poor.

Explore other reviews about Arkema

5.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I really loved working for Arkema. They are a very fair company (sometimes a but too liberal with work/life balance, i.e. taken advantage of) and treat employees very well. The work, although repetitive, was interesting.

Cons

The manager that hired me was great. Then he moved up and I got a manager that "knew everything" and shot down almost any idea I had. His boss was pretty unfriendly and expected miracles in order to promote/give out raises. This is pretty typical of any company, you just wait for bad mangers to move on, or you move on if you can't take it. I moved on.

5.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people Great opportunities Willing to give more responsibility/grow Good work life balance while also still having good drive at work

Cons

Not a lot of cons, everyone is very understanding and the small office could be a downside for resources, but personally did not find that to be an issue

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