Oak Ridge National Laboratory Reviews

Since returning to campus, many people have left ORNL because: -Strict no remote/hybrid work schedules even if your supervisor would allow it. -Being micromanaged due to the many management positions that were created and filled over the pandemic. -Salary not keeping up with the cost of living in the Knoxville area. -Not getting the correct job band/title/promotions because ORNL wants them to have a degree, despite knowing the job inside and out. -Support staff have been leaving because they are overworked and not being recognized Times are changing; ORNL is falling behind and Leadership doesn't seem to acknowledge or care.

Senior management has almost ruined ORNL. Nothing is as it seems on the surface. There is no opportunity for advancement based on hard work, putting in extra effort, bringing in money, etc; it is purely political. There is no opportunity to express concerns or opinions without retaliation. Forced diversity has resulted in hiring many new people with sub-par qualifications at highly inflated salaries; this has caused much discouragement among existing staff. Morale overall is extremely low for those who have worked at ORNL more than 5 years. Once you are there long enough to see through the facade, the corruption is almost more than you can stomach each day. Every few years we take a 3rd party survey on company climate, culture, etc; no corrective actions are ever taken, and rather, things always get worse. We have "appearance" of safety, but true safety is not valued. I can't think of one person in the last 10 years who has happily retired; those who make it long enough to retire are cynical, frustrated, and often want to leave with no retirement party or acknowledgement...because the fake smiles and empty words would just pour salt in wounds. Unless there is a complete turnover of upper and mid-level management, I could not recommend working here. And that's a shame.