I worked at IEM for over 5 years, during which I saw the company rot from within. Management when I started was truly awful, causing a revolving door of employees coming and going; they couldn't retain anyone with talent for long.
Management seemed to improve, but then the back office politics took over. The staff in the Baton Rouge office never grasped that the HQ had moved to Raleigh and always lorded over everyone else that they'd been with the company far longer, had seniority, etc. They played politics, kept everything super secret... all of which created a culture of distrust, where there was no team building or true collaboration. They don't treat their employees with true respect or trust; I've seen people get "stabbed in the back" far too many times, especially during meetings in front of large groups of staff.
Innovative thinking used to be rewarded and encouraged. By the time I left, it wasn't valued in any way; no one would listen to new ideas. I spent a considerable amount of time overhauling the company travel program, saving thousands of dollars per year, all without any sort of thanks (or even a bonus or raise at the end of the year).
Pay is low across the board. They keep pay low in order to keep costs low, which makes sense, but then expect to have top quality employees. It's like having your cake and eating it too - impossible.
There is almost no room for advancement at the company. They have no employment tracks or paths for anyone to follow, which demotivated and demoralizes the staff. People I spoke with around the company, in offices around the country, all shared these same feelings.
