A good company that lost it's way during the economic downturn - Information Systems Specialist Caterpillar Employee Review

2.0
Jun 18, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Excellent compensation for the Midwest area. Salaries are very competitive and bonus (called STIP, Short Term Incentive Plan) is excellent -401K match -Cheap healthcare premiums

Cons

-Caterpillar used to be company that really did care about their people. After the downturn, the attitude from executive management changed. People and positions became very expendable. -Work/life 'balance' was pretty much non-existent in the IS/IT world. Nights and weekend work were the norm. -IS/IT work concentrated on a massive internal SAP rollout. No real funding for any innovative dealer or customer facing systems to differentiate Cat from the competition. -Lack of real product or technology leadership. -Strong emphasis on placing 'diversity candidates' in leadership roles, to the detriment of others with more experience.

Explore other reviews about Caterpillar

5.0
Jun 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits Great WLB Great pay

Cons

Low mobility to move up within company

2.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good health insurance and benefits, good yearly bonuses. The pay is good.

Cons

They are enforcing returning to office by any means necessary. They have lost many high-quality producers who have refused to relocate or refuse to come in. Here's the kicker - they are requiring in-person attendance at the Chicago office and there aren't even enough desks for everyone. It would be a literal fire hazard if we all came into the Chicago office at the same time, M-F, during business hours. No one knows how or if they are going to actually enforce this. Cost of gas is insane, Joe doesn't care about the workers. Or the work for that matter. It's obvious this is a soft layoff, they have made a bunch of people quit. Their internal design agency is falling apart, lots of people have quit, not only because of return to office but because of the toxic politics, favoritism, and lack of direction and accountability. Mediocre workers are allowed to keep their jobs ONLY because of their ability to put their bodies in a chair and work in-person. The other relocation option HR gave besides Chicago was Peoria. No one wants to live in Peoria for any reason whatsoever, be for real.

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