Every single day. I know I'm in no position to do it, yet I keep thinking about it. That's what this place has done to me. I'm willing to risk my livelihood just to get away from its toxicity.
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I once worked with a toxic director who was promoted to VP of R&D despite more qualified candidates being overlooked. That experience reinforced the value of strong leadership and a healthy work environment. Moving on was the best decision—I have found far better opportunities, and you can too. Keep networking and pursuing a role where you’re truly valued. The right job is out there!
Alright, Bye!
Medtronic is an excellent company. Yes we’re going through a rough patch with Geoff, but he could be replaced anytime with a new CEO. Stay positive and focus on how you can contribute to Medtronic and the Mission.
In my experience, when you contact HR with a question, your director gets notified that you went to HR and the nature of your concerns.
I was flabbergasted when I found that out, especially since my question was not regarding management, but rather pay. However, HR works for the company, not for you.
ethics line is all for show with anything related to harassment, bullying, etc. that stuff is sent to HR and probably ignored. it’s primarily there to catch violations with how we interact with customers, like bribes.
Years ago a director openly se-----y harassed a coworker in front of us. Reported it and nothing happened. They are still in a position of authority today.
Sometimes it’s best to move on if you’re feeling that.
I worked on several projects in my time at Medtronic. I didn't see any serious ethics issue directly. The managers and directors were all fair and reasonable. I did notice burnout and turnover at the director/manager level multiple times which are red flags in my opinion. My main issue with Medtronic was with the executives sending jobs overseas for the sake of "saving money". From the engineering perspective in a regulated industry, the loss of quality in requirements engineering can be horrendous. I witnessed that at a previous medical device company.
As for the people who witnessed "ethics issues", I posted on another thread that going to HR usually doesn't work. The "ethics hotline" is also likely being monitored. Usually, an "ethics report" to HR will just go back to the people involved. Then the whistle blower is put under high scrutiny with an official written report based on peer/management feedback. It's up in the air on how that will land - often goes badly for the whistle blower. There are whistle blower laws to protect reporters but proof is needed, etc.
In my experienced, as I posted earlier, I don't go to HR to report ethics while I'm working. I just try to address it pragmatically within the team or just don't say anything. When I was a young engineering intern at the DOE in CA, I witnessed some extreme waste (DOGE would have hated it). I told an experienced government worker in another state about it. He was my mentor as a teen and told me "You probably won't agree with me now. But it's best to look the other way. Management and HR will just see you as a guy 'rocking the boat' and come down on you." I learned over the years he was right. I reported blatant racism in the Deep South of the FL Panhandle and ran into that backlash politically.
The only time I go to HR to report ethics is on the exit interview. That's when it actually works and gets things addressed - which is what happened at that job in the Deep South. That entire team got fired. But the caveat is "get out of Dodge" - lol.
Ethics hotline - I reported, several times, a Sr. Leader for bullying, s-xist behavior, publically berating subordinates..... they dealt with it by putting them on ExCom.
Same. We talk such a good game about ethics and integrity but don’t pay suppliers on time. We are understating inventory and accounts payable by millions of dollars. Highly unethical if not outright illegal. I logged an official complaint with the ethics hotline in January and can report the problem is only getting worse: more suppliers involved and higher past due amounts.
same have some interviews this week, hopefully they go well