So I wrote scripts to scrape company review sites looking for opinions about Mark. Let's see if they got it right.
TheLayoff:
- Criticized for frequent layoffs tied to acquisitions (e.g., Micro Focus, Carbonite) and outsourcing roles to lower-cost regions like India and Ireland.
- Employees describe a "soul-crushing" environment with "constant threat of layoffs" and poor severance packages (e.g., 10 weeks maximum regardless of tenure).
- Accusations of prioritizing stock buybacks and investor returns over employee welfare, with management labeled "disconnected" and "micromanaging."
Indeed:
- Reviews highlight a "powerful CEO office" but criticize "toxic upper management" and "hollow promises" about employee growth.
- Mixed sentiments: Some praise Barrenechea's COVID-era pay cuts to avoid layoffs, while others note "constant layoff talk" and "poor communication" post-acquisition.
- Employees in North America report better treatment compared to APAC regions.
Comparably:
- Barrenechea holds a 57/100 CEO approval rating (Bottom 15% among peers).
- More favorable ratings from HR and Operations teams, but Engineering and newer employees cite dissatisfaction with innovation and transparency.
- Competitively ranks below IBM's CEO but above smaller firms.
Reddit:
- Neutral to skeptical reactions to acquisition announcements (e.g., Carbonite/Webroot), with users questioning long-term job security and integration outcomes.
- Some acknowledge OpenText's expanded cybersecurity portfolio under Barrenechea but express distrust in post-acquisition stability.
Financial Post / BetaKit
- Coverage of OpenText's 2024 restructuring (1,200 layoffs, $60M cost) frames Barrenechea as prioritizing "business optimization" and AI/cloud growth.
- Employees criticize the move as part of a pattern of "semi-annual RIFs" (reduction in force) despite record revenues.