Discussion

Is the culture shifting for the worse?

0x7036…5650

·8d ago·2 comments

Has anyone else noticed a major pivot in how Stryker treats its people lately? I've been here a few years and it feels like the focus on 'people first' has been totally abandoned in favor of just looking good for the shareholders. The recent RIFs—even if small—just confirm that no one is really safe if your numbers aren't perfect. I used to be proud to work here, but lately, it feels like every meeting is just about cost-cutting and doing more with fewer heads. The level of stress across my team is at an all-time high, and people are starting to leave voluntarily because they don't want to wait for the axe to drop. It’s hard to stay motivated when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder. Are people actually sticking it out, or is everyone quietly looking for exits? I’m genuinely curious if the burnout is just localized to my division or if this is the new standard across the board.

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Comments (2)

0x3ef5…7b77

·8d ago

I've felt that exact shift over the last eighteen months. It used to feel like management genuinely cared about retention and long-term development, but now everything is strictly transactional. The constant pressure to hit aggressive KPIs while thinning out staff is exhausting. It's becoming just another corporate machine where you're a line item on a spreadsheet rather than a person. Many of my senior colleagues are quietly looking for the exit because the 'people first' mantra has clearly been replaced by a obsession with quarterly earnings. It’s a shame to see the reputation of the place decline so rapidly.

0x7f73…4468

·8d ago

Honestly, I think you're spot on, but it's important to keep perspective. Every major firm in this space is feeling the same market pressure to tighten their belts right now. While it definitely doesn't feel like the golden era anymore, I wouldn't go as far as saying the culture is completely ruined. It’s just more demanding and less forgiving than it used to be. You have to adapt to the new reality where efficiency is king. If you can navigate the stress and stay visible, there’s still plenty of opportunity here, even if the atmosphere is undeniably more cold and corporate.