Cult of Incompetence - Corporate Manager IKEA Employee Review

1.0
23 Jan 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You can, and most do, show up, be social, do nothing, kiss up and collect a paycheck without worrying about performance. Incompetence runs deep, all the way to the officers of the company. Top leaders fear being exposed as unskilled so they tend to lead through selfish nonsense. Big plus for under qualified employees; being under qualified and incompetent is a prerequisite for a successful career at IKEA.

Cons

You will be working for, or with, children and not adults. You cannot prepare yourself for the immaturity and lack of skills you will encounter. Huge sense of entitlement from officers and "leaders." Make no mistake, this is a cult and there will be universal condemnation for speaking up against nonsense. There is no speaking truth to power without being labeled a heretic. Since top leadership is not qualified to work at comparable levels, or in comparable paying positions outside of the company, IKEA is everything to them and nothing is out of bounds when it comes to protecting themselves. This is a cult of incompetence where you will be asked to put blinders on and check your integrity at the door. Ethically appalling.

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5.0
25 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good People, Decent money, Decent opportunities

Cons

Does not pay enough money

4.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I have a very empathetic and flexible manager. Although I do meet the requirement to be in office three days a week many others do not and don’t seem to suffer for it. My work can be challenging at times, but due to the slow pace of most things here I rarely feel overwhelmed.

Cons

This is, without equivocation, the most sclerotic organization I have ever been a part of. The management structure and reporting lines are inscrutable and even after 3 years I barely understand how my team fits into the larger picture. My job is a data role, and although getting access to data has improved somewhat, it is still one of my biggest blockers.

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