A secretive military organization, which will try to transform you in a small reporting wheel
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
1) The company pays good salaries, in order to brake the high employee fluctuation.
Generally, the company is not greedy.
2) International team. Interesting cultural experience, with most Europeans coming from different countries.
3) This company may be a good entry strategy for foreigners (non-German residents), looking for their first job in Germany.
4) Nice company events (summer and Christmas party).
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
You might be surprised, but Samsung knows you: you plan to enter this company, in order to steal its secrets, and bring them to the competition.
But they are prepared:
0) Pathological secrecy, which will keep you permanently in the dark, and frustrated.
1) Military model (Asian style), with very limited access to information / Korean contacts, limited autonomy, and expected blind obedience.
You risk to develop gradually a reporting mentality, which may damage you on a longer term.
2) Shadow (parallel) Korean structures.
The entire information and absolute power are in Korea Headquarter (HQ). In Seul there are people/teams doing precisely your job, and to whom you might report.
In other cases, you might not know even about their existence (secret organization charts).
The local Germany office is an Appendix of the HQ, with full power (+ information) concentrated in the hands of very few people.
3) No meetings.
A meeting means free access to information, and making decisions (both activities are heavily restricted).
Instead your master will call you and your colleagues in his office, one by one, to receive your reports and to give you orders.
4) Diabolic weekly reporting.
Everyone must deliver his weekly written report, by each Friday, hour 12.00 (with font Black, Calibri Body 11 - not joking).
5) Diabolic time control. You will badge 4 (four) times per day, including for lunch time, independently of your position.
Working time (measured by minute) will become gradually your main reference, more important than the professional objectives.
6) Diabolic time-off approval process: your request must be approved by your substitute (sometimes difficult to identify) + your boss + the boss of your boss.
The entire process may last more days.
7) Diabolic bureaucracy for Travel expenses. You might need to fill the documents even 5 times (over some weeks or months), until you will get it right.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
This exotic company culture is completely shaped by Korea Headquarter, and therefore almost impossible to change in Europe (in any case: your opinion is irrelevant).
Be philosophical: Hundreds of people were here before you, and other hundreds will come after you, in this organization without memory.
You may take it for a period (not too long), then look for something else.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
A rigid military structure, inside modern offices.
Kommunikation
Pathological secrecy:
- General Company presentation (extract from the public Annual Report) is ...secret.
- Most of on-boarding materials are secret.
- Organization charts are secret.
- Sales results are secret, etc.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
In Ismaning office there are about 50 Koreans + 50 Europeans (most of them not Germans).
Very good relationships with European colleagues.
Almost inexistent communication with Korean expatriates.
Work-Life-Balance
The company uses Gleitzeit (flexible time), with Home office possibility.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
Military approach, with expected blind obedience (replica of the Korean model).
Interessante Aufgaben
On paper, the batteries for e-auto are technology for the future.
Unfortunately everything is ... secret, therefore as European you will be assigned to reporting or to complicated/ time-consuming, but insignificant tasks.
For more sensible topics (like Engineering), your activity will be carefully monitored by Koreans (through permanent reports, or by shadow Korean structures).
Your autonomy or initiative will gradually reach level 0 (zero).
You will be expected mainly to collect information, to receive orders (to be followed blindly) and to report.
Umgang mit älteren Kollegen
Not applicable (nobody is getting old in this organization).
Arbeitsbedingungen
Modern offices (open office) and meeting rooms, adjustable desks, and Samsung technology.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
The company pays good salaries (...in order to brake the high personnel fluctuation).
Image
The company exploits the brand name Samsung, but you may often feel like an uninvited guest to the (Korean) party.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
You had a career until you entered this company.
You will be expected to report (weekly), while your most important skill will be obedience.
You will have limited access to information, independently of your position.
Arbeitgeber-Kommentar
Dear colleague,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We genuinely appreciate your openness and honesty about your experience at SAMSUNG SDI Europe. Your input is crucial for us to continuously improve and create a positive work environment for all our employees.
We want to express our sincere apologies if you have encountered challenges during your time with us. Your concerns are taken seriously, and we are committed to addressing them promptly. Rest assured, your feedback will be shared with the relevant teams, and we will work diligently to implement necessary improvements.
At SAMSUNG SDI Europe, we value the well-being and satisfaction of our employees, and it's disheartening to learn that your experience has not met your expectations. Creating a positive and supportive workplace is our priority, and your insights will guide us in making the necessary changes. If there are specific areas you believe need attention or if you have any suggestions for improvement, we are eager to hear them.
I understand the importance of open communication, and I am here to listen and collaborate with you to ensure your concerns are properly addressed. Your satisfaction and professional growth are important to us, and we are committed to making the necessary adjustments.
Thank you once again for bringing these concerns to our attention. I look forward to working with you to find solutions and enhance your experience at SAMSUNG SDI Europe.
Best regards,
Marlene Wild
People Group, SAMSUNG SDI Europe