I was a fabrication research scientist at Cree and to my understanding:
Everything else. Poor impulsive management.
Managers blame others for their own mistakes. I saw a lot of back stabbing from managers. People constantly step on each other to move upward in the company. Many people constantly yell at each other every day. It has a very aggressive and rude environment. It’s not a very scientific place. They tried to make everything work by try and error. Good and knowledgeable people with skills are depreciated. MOST of the higher ranked managers only work like whip and they are not technical.
My experience is that higher tanked managers were worse and less trustworthy.
Let me give you an example: many people stuck working there because of their family settled in Durham. I was amazed that how much the management could take advantage of this and push people to their breakdown limits. I’ve seen very knowledgeable and good working scientists there who have been working at Cree for 8-15 years. But, every morning I came to work, I could see how much stress they have. I saw employees getting many panic attacks during the year I was working there. I greatly admire those who had that much of stress level every day for more than 8 years.
Another example: their interview process is an abstract of Cree culture. I survived the interview, but I can’t forget that after a long day interview, they took me to dinner and waited until I started my dinner, and then, they shut me many brain teasers and technical questions while I was having my dinner. It was such a horrible experience. Later I found out that this is the company’s standard interview procedure and they want to find people who can do anything under constant pressure.
After few months Working there, I started applying for other jobs and eventually left for another company. I work more hours in my current job, but I’m happy so far because I stay mentally stable.
