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I’ve been working at Apple for 8 years now, at two different retail stores, all while being a student. Expectations are pretty high, but if you do your job well, incentives are great, schedules are always pretty flexible (at least for me), and managers are easy to talk/get to. Also, for the job done, salary is damn good. Literally the best student job one could get.
Agreed, but after graduation...woof.
 
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So much ignorance here, bring things like foreign taxation into this subject and other things like the "open" work spaces in a building that isn't open yet. I'd bet my shiny new iPhone X that the drop was precipitated largely by a retail workforce that most of these other companies do not have. That creates a very large pool of potentially less-than thrilled employees, dealing downright rude customers daily, in which many will feel "undervalued" because they think they deserve better and not realizing its not the job that sucks- its some of the clients. Work in retail for a month and you'll either see this, or be this.
 
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I visited Apple's campus in SF a few months ago (during WWDC) and met up with a designer who had worked there for over a year.
I was surprised to learn that his work phone was an old scrappy iPhone 5C, and that workers at Apple are never prioritized for getting the latest gear to do their work on.
We headed over to Café Macs where I was again surprised to see that every worker had to pay for a simple coffee, as if it would have been a commercial café. I would have expected free snacks, drinks, coffee and meals for working at such a successful company and I don't understand the nickel-and-diming here. I know that the work culture in the US is a bit different than where I'm from (Sweden), but it really tarnished my idea of Apple as a "magical/amazing" place to work at. It felt very cold and big-corporate. In contrast, I've visited the Spotify HQ here in Stockholm and you have access to free coffee, snacks, nuts, protein bars, catered meals, salads, sandwiches, drinks, sodas, energy drinks, etc 24/7 at no charge, you get the latest mid-high specced Macbook Pro and iPhone Plus/X, etc.
Relentless seeking of profits, demanding employees work holidays instead of hiring more people, people never getting the raise they deserve because of quotas, lack of upward mobility, hiring from outside their stores for management positions, lack luster products that cost a fortune for employees to purchase and so many more reasons are why they are where they are.
This says it all.
It ventilates the penny-picking pathos of Cook. Never seen such a dull, uninspiring guy at such position.
Now imagine how frustrating it must be to work for Ive. There is soo much talent - don't tell me they are sleeping all day. So many new designs or changes from the proven path must be denied with soo little coming out - for a company of this magnitude.
 
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Is Glassdoor that important? I’ve nevet used it. Do many people here use it?

Absolutely. Gives an initial impression of a company. Bearing in mind, people post to air their grievances more than praise. As long as you are aware of that.

I get the impression that Apple don't have a particularly good balance of work / life. Work isn't my life, and I value companies that recognize that employees absolutely need that balance.

Burnt out employees aren't productive or happy employees, and doesn't tend to a great working environment.

This.
Last year I became a father, obviously I need to earn money but I want to spend as much time as possible with my family.
Companies like Apple are a good fit when you're young, maybe single and you're willing to work very hard, get a lot of money and have a great name on your resume.
10 years ago I'd have been willing to work at Apple, now I'm not sure I'd apply for a job there.
I don't think they force you to work 7 days a week, but I guess they expect you to work overtime every time they need it.
 
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I visited Apple's campus in SF a few months ago (during WWDC) and met up with a designer who had worked there for over a year.

I was surprised to learn that his work phone was an old scrappy iPhone 5C, and that workers at Apple are never prioritized for getting the latest gear to do their work on.

We headed over to Café Macs where I was again surprised to see that every worker had to pay for a simple coffee, as if it would have been a commercial café. I would have expected free snacks, drinks, coffee and meals for working at such a successful company and I don't understand the nickel-and-diming here. I know that the work culture in the US is a bit different than where I'm from (Sweden), but it really tarnished my idea of Apple as a "magical/amazing" place to work at. It felt very cold and big-corporate. In contrast, I've visited the Spotify HQ here in Stockholm and you have access to free coffee, snacks, nuts, protein bars, catered meals, salads, sandwiches, drinks, sodas, energy drinks, etc 24/7 at no charge, you get the latest mid-high specced Macbook Pro and iPhone Plus/X, etc.

I don't understand why the wealthiest company in the world can't supply proper tools and coffee & snacks to the people on which their success is built on. Maybe these are silly remarks. But it really gave me the feeling that working at Apple is not a very great experience and that you're not really cared for as an employee.

I don't get snacks, but we do get free tea, coffee, milk and are a very small company with a pretty stingy boss.
For Apple to charge for just a cup of coffee seems terrible. I guess they not making much money and have to watch the pennies!
 
Of course! The only time any ranking system, analyst or other entity is right is when they are ranking some positive aspect of something and puts Apple #1. If Apple is not #1, the entity doing the placement is entirely wrong, taking payola, suspect and so on.

We'll even readily flip flop faulting an entity when Apple is not #1 and praising them and/or offering them up as examples in other threads when the same ranks Apple #1. Consumer Reports is one that is particularly standout if anyone knows how they work. They are so right when they are praising Apple and so wrong/suspect/"need to alter their methodology" (more favorable to Apple) when they are panning something from Apple... or even not ranking that something #1 with mostly praise.

We are consistent about this in all threads. Is it a rule? ;)
Dude, I said it should be taken with a grain of salt, even when positive. Some of the best companies are probably not the best places to work. Apple is the most profitable company in the world and I can imagine one of the most demanding, difficult places to be too. They expect the world from everyone.

I work at a Fortune 20 company and know first hand that corporate America is a grind.

I don't think anyone takes Consumer Reports seriously.
 
Works for architects, but not engineers?

Like another poster noted, it depends on the person. I"m okay with cubicles with sufficiently high walls, but I don't like open environments with short walls where I can almost see the top of my neighbor's head. Even small changes would improve the environment. Changing the positioning where I don't have an open view to my side neighbor would be great. If I needed to talk to somone I can still easily talk over the mini wall. There is no need to keep each in view at all times.
 
"Glassdoor said the rankings are based on its proprietary awards algorithm, which calculated the quantity, quality, and consistency of company reviews submitted by employees between November 1, 2016 and October 22, 2017"

This includes Retail as well? Retail employees outnumber corporate like 2:1, right? I'd imagine retail employees are not making a career out of working at apple and therefore don't mind airing their grievances and besides, retail is hard on someone emotionally and physically.

When Facebook opens 500 retail stores, their score is going to drop dramatically.
Would it really matter if included retail? From 2009-2017 Apple has ranked from anywhere from 10th to 36th. Wouldn't those years have included retail as well?

The #4 company is In-N-Out Burger. I'd imagine they have a few retail employees. The rankings between 1-84 are sprinkled with companies that have a retail component. I'm doubting retail is to blame.

edit: Look at the companies at 4, 6, 41, 49, 51, 53, 61, 64, 70-73, 75, and 79-81.
 
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How many Apple employees are currently working in the new campus? And if some are I’m assuming they haven’t been working there very long. Not sure how that would be impacting this rating.
 
I love open plan offices. I suppose it depends on the job type too - whether you like or dislike it. I've worked in offices were everyone had their own cubicles, I hated it. I quit the job very soon after. Communication was awful, everyone worked in their own silo despite being in the same project. Ugh....

each to their won of course, though fighting for a seat each day is such a waste of time or me. Also means that your team, that you are suppose to work with can be spread. Never found open office and hot desking to work, from my experience
 
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Oh this. So much this. The people who designed "open workplaces" should be forced to work in it 24/7 to see how it feels.

Ive seen it only work in start ups. after as the tech team becomes more mature and senior - everyone wants their own space. I've seen a few transform away from open spaces. That design, maybe reached the "popularity" and coolness factor in 2010, when this space ship was designed most likely or even before.

Again comes down to their releases, I'm sure there were people against it, but execs were too lazy or did not want to make changes due to cost in reconfiguring. Comes back to Jobs...wouldn't have approved it and would have forced a change last minute. Tim Cook does not have the stomach for such rash decisions and does reflect apples culture today.
 
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they should ask Chinese workers from Foxconn too
Foxconn, the extended arm of Apple, was hired to be exploited and to take the criticism.
If this trend continues, it may ultimately become the opposite way...
 
Many people from the outside want in. But, keep in mind why companies build HQ's like Apple - the expectation to work 24/7 and force work becoming your life. You couldn't pay me enough to work there.

Lots of big companies have this mentality, it’s the same as if you run your own small business but your not your own boss and have to abide by someone else’s rules.
One thing I’ve noticed in my working life in big companies are the people who will do anything to rise up the ladder to anyone with no remorse, you can tell who they are usually..

Good work isn’t always enough, I see those who make mistakes but have good output rise up, even though it’s usually left to others to fix their mess and calm the customers that have been messed around.

It shows the culture of work is ALL about those stats and figures that make the department look good, even at the expense of customer service.
 
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Foxconn, the extension piece of Apple, was hired to be exploited and take the criticism.
If this trend continues, it may ultimately become the opposite way...
Hon Hai isn't being exploited. They are doing what they do for Apple and MANY other companies. Assembly is their BUSINESS. Contracts are negotiated. If you want to be mad at a company, be mad at Hon Hai for taking the business at their contracted rates.
 
Hon Hai isn't being exploited. They are doing what they do for Apple and MANY other companies. Assembly is their BUSINESS. Contracts are negotiated. If you want to be mad at a company, be mad at Hon Hai for taking the business at their contracted rates.
Your perspective seems slightly restricted by formalities.
Look at the socio-economic impact of this form of cooperation on a global scale.
 
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