Amway evaluated as mediocre firm

By Yoon Sung-won

Amway Korea has been evaluated as a mediocre workplace by its employees due to the low satisfaction of executives and slim chances of promotion, according to Jobplanet, Wednesday.

The job information provider said Amway Korea received 3.3 average points out of 5 in a corporate evaluation. A total of 126 employees participated in an assessment of five criteria ― chances of promotion, payment and employee welfare, work-life balance, corporate culture and executives. Only 30 percent of the respondents said they believe the company will grow.

In an anonymous personal review posted on the Jobplanet website, an Amway Korea employee working at a business support unit said the company is “not recommendable” for jobseekers.

“In general, wages and employee welfare are fine. But it is difficult to believe wage increases and incentive payments are made under proper standards and procedures,” the employee said. “Most business units are heavily studded with deputy managers but only a few of them are playing a bridging role between executives and junior employees. I would advise those who are still young to seek career experience in a better place.”

This employee also requested executives build a more transparent corporate culture.

“It’s such a shame that there are only one or two respectable leaders in a company with so many executives,” the employee said. “I would ask the executives to show fairer and more transparent leadership.”

Established in 1988, Amway Korea has been considered one of the largest multi-level marketing companies here. But its market leadership has been increasingly threatened by Atomy. Amid weakening profitability, Amway Korea appointed Kim Jang-hwan as its new CEO, replacing Park Se-joon who led the enterprise for a long time.

Another employee pointed out the lack of competent mid-level managers is aggravating an unfair division of labor.

“Whereas high-ranking positions are taken mostly by older people, the company doesn’t have enough mid-level managers. This has resulted in too much work for inexperienced young staff,” the employee said.

A former employee of Amway Korea said the company’s system doesn’t work properly to recognize the contributions of hard-working employees.

“Many talented workers often feel discouraged as the company doesn’t recognize what they have achieved,” he said.

Jobplanet’s corporate review shows Amway Korea offers satisfactory employee welfare. The company received 3.7 points in payment and employee welfare, which was its highest score among the five criteria.

“One can experience diverse welfare programs in the company, which is common in a foreign-affiliated enterprise,” according to an employee working in the administrative unit.