Corrupt, Incompetent and Unprofitable - Administration Saipem Employee Review

2.0
9 Sept 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Despite all the terrible Italian expatriate managers, there were still some great people that worked there. Technically, the company is pretty good in its design and execution (albeit not profitable). You will learn a lot about working in an International company, and meeting people from all different cultures.

Cons

The Saipem management style is to treat everyone around you poorly, promote and reward based on social connections (not competence), take no responsibility for your actions, and blame HR when things go wrong. The numerous expatriates are arrogant and incompetent--which is rather ironic considering that Saipem hasn't turned a profit on any projects in years. The company will most likely leave Canada in a few months. If it stays, only work there if it is financially lucrative for you to do so, and get out as soon as you can. Saipem has very little upside in Canada. The parent company in Milan is run even worse than Canada. It dumps expenses into its subsidiaries to ensure they are not profitable, and bogs them down in useless reporting in the name of compliance while providing no real support. The corruption is rampant in Milan, and the CEO has made very few changes in his tenure.

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3.0
8 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great responsibility for offshore operations and quay-side mobilizations. Less technical role (no direct engineering performed), but more so, practical experience-driven when executing onsite.

Cons

Lots of reading and writing (Purchase Requests>Purchase Orders>Final contracts). Bureaucratic procurement (SAP and Word/Excel heavy) and poor interdepartmental follow-up: you have to do the follow-up when the assigned project inspector and expeditor (POSE) don't follow up on your PO. High workload.

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