Challenging Work Environment with Significant Cultural & Operational Issues - Manager Xylem Employee Review

1.0
6 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

• Many frontline employees are hardworking and committed. • Some teams collaborate well despite structural challenges. • Opportunities to learn if you are self‑driven and proactive.

Cons

• A noticeable culture of favoritism, where advancement and opportunities often appear influenced more by internal relationships than performance or capability. • Several individuals remain in roles primarily to finish out their careers, which limits growth, slows decision‑making, and creates bottlenecks for those trying to drive improvement. • Zero‑tolerance policies are sometimes applied inconsistently, creating the perception that they are used selectively rather than uniformly. • Limited on‑site leadership presence, resulting in unclear direction, slow issue resolution, and a lack of accountability. • Multiple safety concerns have occurred, including OSHA involvement and fines, which has impacted employee confidence in the safety culture. • Systems and processes are extremely manual and outdated, with little willingness to modernize or digitize workflows. • Office space and facilities feel outdated and poorly maintained, which affects morale and the overall work environment. • Employees without degrees often face barriers to advancement, even when performing the same responsibilities as degreed colleagues. • New hires frequently report feeling unwelcome or unsupported until they have been with the company for several years. • Employees who propose changes or challenge the status quo may feel marginalized rather than encouraged. • Executive leadership is heavily composed of former GE personnel, which has created a noticeable disconnect between upper management and local teams. • Onboarding is minimal, with most training falling on individual managers rather than a structured company program. • Annual goal‑setting is often disconnected from broader business objectives and is treated as a formality rather than a meaningful process.

Explore other reviews about Xylem

5.0
6 June 2026
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice managers, supportive, kind environment

Cons

None really, would recommend for internship

4.0
13 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Wonderful company who believe in our mission every day - great people committed to water and making a difference - leading products/brands - company leadership rebuilding the business from the inside out - with strong focus on sales, profits, etc. We are able to attract many of the best in water.

Cons

Tons of change happening -- while there is as approach/strategy, things are moving fast as the company has reoriented the org, pruned product lines, etc. Issue is that many people have been impacted - job redundancies, reorgs, uncertainty. it has impacted morale in many places. and we've lost many good people who have gotten fed up with the changes. We have some really talented, world class leaders . we have others in mid management who really shouldn't be in those jobs and who are in over the heads. communications of the many changes don't flow downhill very well. Xylem needs to step up/improve our people related efforts in most ways. performance reviews aren't taken seriously by most managers; managers aren't trained/good at giving feedback; we are terrible at onboarding, etc.

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