Pros
I cannot think of any good easons to work for Fortis, other than the salary. There is very little diversity, particularly in regard to women in managing positions. There are very few of those and they face a constant struggle, and in some cases, downright sabotage, from their male direct reports. There is little racial or religious diversity as well. Office politics are nastier than in the USA, with managers stabbing each others in the back, spreading rumors, and generally constantly squabbling and complaining about one other. It is likely due to the fact that Belgium has a small labor market, and people have little latitude to move around. People management skills are close to non-existent: employees are treated with total disrespect, and if they complain, summarily fired. Bad managers are not disciplined.
Cons
The corporate culture is one of total disrespect for employees. Managers at all levels routinely bully and badger their direct reports. My manager bullied one of my direct eports to the point that the individual actually left the bank in total disgust. The pecking order is very rigid. Managers are very conscious of their position and abuse their power. The class consciousness that exists in Belgum is reflected in the corporate culture. The "open space" plan type of facilities is extremely stressful as one has no privacy, and is being constantly watched. As a result, people regularly put on a pretense of being overworked: they stay late in the ofice, organize lots of unnecessary and interminable meetings, send massive amounts of e-mail, etc...
