Thales

Hours

"I feel comfortable working my normal 37.25 hours per week. I work half days on a Friday. I am able to do overtime when I want a little extra cash. My company does not do flexible working." -- Software Engineer, Basingstoke
"I work around 40 hours a week, although there is overtime compensation. They will occasionally require you to work weekends or late but again this is paid and I have only had this once in my 3 1/2 years at Thales. Additionally, there is flexi time available but this is site dependant and not a company-wide policy." -- Graduate, Market Analyst
"I very, very rarely spend longer than my contracted 37.25 hours a week in the office. As long as you are progressing well with your work, Thales respects your work-life balance. I have NEVER had to work at a weekend. Thales is also very flexible with working hours – doctors/dentists appointments are allowed for (typically a morning or afternoon off to attend such an appointment), hours can be made up later in the week if you need to leave early for any reason. Also, within my division at my site, we work 8.25 hours Monday – Thursday and only 4.25 on Friday, giving us a 2.5 day weekend – that's very nice to have! I receive 25 days holiday per year, but days can not typically be rolled over from year to year unless you have a justified reason for not using your holiday up (e.g. looming project deadlines, etc.). Unpaid leave can be taken if further holiday is required if agreed by your manager. New graduates from 2011 will receive 26 days holiday – why new graduates should receive a day more than existing graduates I don't know!!!" -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"Depending on workload and what the project demands, weekend working can be done. I have personally been on several very demanding projects recently, which have meant I've worked around four hours on a few weekends. Overtime is paid (time x 1.75) for a Sunday. Holiday is 25 days a year and this is on top of bank holidays and a shutdown between Christmas and New Year; additional holiday cannot be purchased." -- Mechanical Engineer, Glasgow
"The contracted work hours are fair (37.5) and the flexible working hours policy is one of the company’s biggest assets. Overtime is often expected of individuals and I am usually in the office over 40 hours a week on average, but this is paid up until your salary surpasses a certain level." -- Midlevel, Software Engineer

"On average I spend roughly 45 hours a week in the office. These hours are worked flexibly, with start and finish times variable, although we are no longer allowed to use excess hours to take a day or half-day off. Weekend work occurs on occasion, but is normally optional, and rarely forced if one is unavailable." -- Software Engineer, Basingstoke
"I spend an average of 40 hours in the office a week. I have never had to work at weekends, although closer to release, that might change. My office is very flexible with regards to start and finish times, as long as you make up the correct amount of hours. My holiday allowance is pretty generous, and I have not yet been refused leave." -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"I often do overtime but am paid for it, not forced to work extra but choose to normally. Core hours are 9-4 but this is normally flexible." -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"I probably spend on average 38 hours in the office each week, depending on workload. If my project is at a crucial stage I sometimes come in to put in the extra work so that the team can meet deadlines, however personally I prefer to do this in the evenings as opposed to weekends. The opportunity for overtime is sometimes offered/requested although obviously nothing is compulsory. Thales is very good for its flexibility – I can start between 7.30am and 9.30am and therefore finish between 4pm and 6pm (though doing no more or less than 8.5 hours a day – it is not possible to save up hours). We also finish at lunchtime on a Friday every week, which is a wonderful luxury and very useful." -- Electronic Engineer, Glasgow
"I work a 37.5 hour week, but get paid overtime for anything above that. I am generally in for just over 40 hours a week. I have occasionally done weekends, but wasn’t in any way pressured by anyone other than myself to get the job done. Current flexi-time is excellent, and overtime can be traded into flexi-leave. However, later in the year our site is relocating to Bristol and we lose most of this flexibility and haven’t had a good reason as to why. Currently I am very happy with the situation, as marked above, but my opinion will change before the end of the year as the changes with the site move become apparent." -- Graduate, Hardware Engineer, Wells

Salary

"£24,500" -- Supportability Engineer, Basingstoke
"£28,000" -- Strategic Market Analyst, Basingstoke
"£29,800" -- Graduate, Market Analyst
"£26,150" -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"£28,800" -- Programme Management, Crawley
"£28,000" -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"£25,000" -- Graduate, IT
"£26,000" -- Electronics Engineer, Glasgow
"£26,500" -- Programme Manager, Glasgow
"£26,500" -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"£26,300" -- Midlevel, Software Engineer
"£25,000 (per annum)" -- Entry level
"There is a bonus scheme in place, but I was not told about it, and it was only by chasing HR that I found out that I was entitled to it. I still have not received any information about it. Anything I do know is gleaned from talking to other grads. As the company has made a loss this year, I have had a pay freeze." -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"The pay is average in the market; however, the increases in salary are below inflation." -- Project Manager, Crawley
"My salary of £28k is not typical; I have had to fight to keep it increasing. Most graduates in my year are on approximately £1.5k less than me. New graduates for 2011 will start on £26.5k. Bi-annual pay reviews are offered for the first two years at Thales, but don't expect massive rises. Approximately, a £500 rise per review is typical. Within my division, graduates DO NOT receive a bonus at all. Other divisions do offer bonuses, typically around £1,200 to £2,000 per year." -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"Pay is revised twice yearly as a graduate, and once for everyone else. It is difficult to get a pay rise outside of the yearly pay review. I am not satisfied with my pay as it is, but will find out the result of my pay review in two weeks time, and so should be much happier then (hopefully!)" -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"The company has an AAD process which compares individual performance against objectives agreed with managers earlier in the year. This forms the basis of an increase in compensation." -- Programme Manager, Glasgow
"Most graduates are not differentiated on pay. Each graduate is given a standard raise every six months of the graduate programme. There is strong reluctance to other increases in pay. Bonuses for graduates and entry level positions are small, but do get bigger as you move up the ladder." -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"I thought when I joined that the salary was very good. Since joining, the other Thales business unit on site has rewarded its graduates with good salary reviews (5-10% twice a year), while our business unit has not been anywhere close. This gives very mixed signals for a so-called coherent business with corporate policies." -- Graduate, Hardware Engineer, Wells

"£27,060" -- Software Engineer, Basingstoke
"£27,000" -- Graduate, Systems Engineer
"£27,450" -- Mechanical Engineer, Crawley
"£27,347" -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"£25,000" -- Project Manager, Crawley
"£31,000" -- Technical Analyst, Crawley
"£26,500" -- Bid Manager, Glasgow
"£28,100" -- Mechanical Engineer, Glasgow
"£28,000" -- Graduate, Marketing Manager
"£30,000" -- Graduate, Senior Engineer
"£25,000" -- Graduate, Contracts Officer
"£28,000" -- Graduate, Hardware Engineer, Wells
"The company have a very generous starting salary although they are not consistent or formal enough about the regular increases stipulated in the contract." -- Graduate, Systems Engineer
"I feel the company bonus scheme is too generic and does not reward individuals on specific projects which have performed well. There is too much reliance on factors outside of my control which influence my bonus." -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"No particular bonus programme to speak of -£100 if the company does well but I wouldn't really consider that a bonus. Above certain grades bonuses are available. Pay seems fair, on the graduate scheme there are pay rises twice a year (over four years) and so far there have been no pay freezes." -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"I feel the pay increases in the company are too low. However, with the global recession the rates do seem competitive. Starting salary for grads is around 26k, with a £500 rise every six months for two years. There is then a company-wide salary review every summer. No bonuses are awarded to grads (I'm not sure at what level in the company bonuses start)." -- Mechanical Engineer, Glasgow
"The company is trying to find a way to recognise and reward technical streams as they have realised that the only way for most UK engineers to progress is to stop being engineers and enter a management stream. This is extremely encouraging as many technical graduates do what we do because it's what gives us the greatest job satisfaction. I'm not sure if any other companies are doing this but if so, I don't believe there are many. Top marks for acknowledging the issue." -- Software Engineer, Glasgow
"The pay increments awarded during annual reviews are extremely poor, and although supposedly based on individual performance are clearly not as they are decided before the review, and do not seem to differ even when receiving an excellent rating. The initial starting salary was very good for a graduate level job at the time, but there seems to be no progress in salary after starting, despite increasing responsibilities and even a grade rise. The company needs a serious review of the salary structure as excellent employees are leaving after not being recognised for their achievements." -- Midlevel, Software Engineer

Perks

"Gym membership and Orange phone discounts." -- Supportability Engineer, Basingstoke
"Joining bonus was a great way to get you started after leaving university with so much debt!" -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"Half day Friday is brilliant, especially for long weekends! Grad courses are also a good laugh, flying to different parts of the country, eating at restaurants and chatting to grads on other courses, all company-paid. The Annual Graduate Conference takes place every May, and lasts around three days. This involves grads from all over the UK, staying at 4-5* hotels (last year was Celtic Manor, home of the Welsh Open) and doing fun team building activities, as well as learning about different Thales sites. There is also a formal meal and entertainment one of the nights. There is a £1000 moving allowance to anyone who joins the company and is moving from more than 50miles (I think) away." -- Mechanical Engineer, Glasgow
"Discounts on travel insurance, rental cars and car insurance. Silver membership in the BMI Diamond Club (you get lounge access)." -- Software Engineer, Glasgow
"We can get reward vouchers if we've done well at something (and been nominated for a reward), that we can spend at a variety of shops." -- Graduate, Commercial Officer, Wells

"Grads get to go to training courses and meetings all around the country, including the Annual Graduate Conference which is always in a nice hotel. We get team meals and evenings out." -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"Standard company pension is offered with Thales matching up to 5% of your salary. Healthcare is not offered to graduates. A 'Welcome to Thales' bonus of £2k is paid to new graduates, but note this welcome bonus WILL be taxable, so expect to lose £600 or so of it! (This was previously a non-taxable relocation allowance, but recently changed). On-site gym membership is offered at £15 per month, but limited facilities mean most graduates use the local larger Virgin Active gym for around £40 per month." -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"They covered all my relocation expenses for moving to the area." -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"Thales encourages and pays for one to join professional institutions." -- Entry level
"Decent pension plan. Dinners are sometimes provided when customers are around, though this is decided at a programme level not company level, other than Christmas dinner which is part subsidised." -- Graduate, Hardware Engineer, Wells

Bonus

"£75" -- Graduate, Systems Engineer
"£300" -- Project Manager, Crawley
"£0" -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"£75" -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"£0" -- Software Engineer, Glasgow
"£75" -- Graduate, Project Manager
"£100" -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"£0" -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"£2,500 welcome bonus" -- Entry level

Fun Facts

"We invented Vodafone." -- Supportability Engineer, Basingstoke
"Thales majority shareholder is the French government." -- Graduate, Systems Engineer
"The new Manor Royal site buildings in Crawley were selected straight out of a catalogue for shopping centre buildings!" -- Programme Management, Crawley
"Thales Alenia Space is prime contractor for the ExoMars mission, Europe’s first mission to land on the planet Mars." -- Graduate, Information Systems
"The site in Glasgow is the oldest part of Thales. It was formed the same year Celtic Football Club was formed, 1888." -- Market Analyst, Glasgow
"Despite being located in the middle of the south west (in the middle of nowhere) we produce some of the most sophisticated sonar systems in the world and are a world leader in many underwater systems areas." -- Entry level, Project Engineer

"We are the biggest company you've never heard of. As well as defence projects, we also provide the technology for chip and pin, secure transactions for customers like MasterCard, we are involved in the current upgrades to the Jubilee and Northern tube lines and host the database that runs the National Rail Enquiries website." -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"We secure 90% of all credit card transactions." -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"The company is named after the philosopher 'Thales'." -- Project Manager, Crawley
"The Glasgow site is the only place in the world that older periscopes can be repaired." -- Electronics Engineer, Glasgow
"Named after a Turkish philosopher who is known as the godfather of science." -- Graduate, Hardware Engineer, Wells

Pluses

"The people, projects and a very strong graduate training framework to guide me through the first four years of my career. Plenty of scope to grow and develop." -- Supportability Engineer, Basingstoke
"Half day on a Friday. We work slightly longer Monday to Thursday but then finish at 12:30pm on Friday which gives you a much longer weekend and the ability to get places before the traffic picks up." -- Graduate, Market Analyst
"Job security." -- Project Manager, Crawley
"Interesting work in the defence industry, big blue chip organisation so fairly safe, steady pay rises, mobility within the UK and worldwide, opportunities to change roles, departments, projects, industries." -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"Flexibility, no ‘blame culture’." -- Mechanical Engineer, Glasgow
"Interesting products. Good culture. Social aspect." -- Programme Manager, Glasgow
"The people are great to work with and the projects are interesting and challenging." -- Midlevel, Software Engineer
"You feel that there are opportunities that could come your way." -- Graduate, Programme Manager, Wells

"I earn a good wage for my age and compared to the UK as a whole. I have a safe job." -- Software Engineer, Basingstoke
"The people I work with are very friendly and good to be around and the day-to-day work I do is interesting and challenging." -- Graduate, Software Engineer
"Scope of available work. Flexibility of jobs and locations. Responsibility given." -- Programme Management, Crawley
"Work-life balance, Friday afternoons off!" -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"The size of the company, which means good support, good training, many opportunities, good social scene, etc. The graduate community is extremely good, with around 400 grads in the UK. There is a real sense of community between these grads as we all do the same training, so I have met the majority of them." -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"Excellent package on offer and training." -- Graduate, Hardware Engineer, Wells
"The things I get to do, the responsibilities I have and the ability to do my job around my personal time. There is a friendly, social atmosphere in my work place." -- Entry level, Project Engineer

Minuses

"Some business locations are not in the most exciting of locations!" -- Supportability Engineer, Basingstoke
"Defence industry is sometimes slow and lacks innovation compared to other industries with regards to ways of working." -- Graduate, Systems Engineer
"Too much bureaucracy. Limited scope for progression within technical roles." -- Mechanical Engineer, Crawley
"Poor bonus." -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"Career progression." -- Project Manager, Crawley
"The size of the company, which unfortunately means it’s very slow to react and problems get overlooked/hidden. The history of the company; Thales was once many smaller companies that came together. They all had their own ways of working and so there is inconsistency within the company and some work was done very badly in the past." -- Systems Engineer, Crawley
"Not allowed to have water at our desks! If that's the worst thing it must be pretty good!" -- Mechanical Engineer, Glasgow
"Lack of reward/recognition for hard work and sustained contribution." -- Midlevel, Software Engineer
"There is a forced shutdown at Christmas which results in at least two days of annual leave being taken as "management days". Although it is useful to have time off at this time of year, some people feel disgruntled about being forced to take leave. On a personal note the internal communications between management and employees could be better, although this is slightly counteracted by receiving company news updates." -- Graduate, Systems Engineer

"Career development is haphazard at best. Skills and technical development is non-existent. To get any significant wage increase I will have to leave; promotion does not bring significant wage increases and annual wage increases are below inflation." -- Software Engineer, Basingstoke
"With the exception of the graduates the average age of the employees is pushing 45-50." -- Graduate, Market Analyst
"The commute. Not having a lot in common with the older generation, as that is a large percentage." -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"Overcrowding in the offices can be an issue – booking meeting rooms is a nightmare!" -- Programme Management, Crawley
"Lack of respect for graduates. Poor graduate retention. Poor salaries and pay rises. Four year graduate scheme is too long!" -- Software Engineer, Crawley
"No food/drink at your desk." -- Electronics Engineer, Glasgow
"Graduates are not always seen positively and pay is not always equal." -- Strategic Marketing Analyst, Glasgow
"Very formal. It would be nice to become slightly less of a formal company so the employees are more in touch with each other." -- Graduate, Contracts Officer
"I think some of the working practices are outdated and change can take a long while to be implemented. I think the company needs to invest more to help implement change." -- Entry level, Project Engineer