Company is full of interpersonal abusers, IP is strong
Pros
The company's intellectual property (IP) is strong. Lots of smart people from whom you can learn.
Cons
Cisco is full of mid‑level managers who behave like they’re untouchable — because they are. It doesn’t matter how many HR cases get filed or how blatant the behavior is. The same managers who discriminate against women, treat women as objects, ignore boundaries, and act like mini‑gods openly brag that HR can’t touch them. They laugh about it in hallways and treat sensitivity training like a comedy routine. This isn’t a few bad actors; it’s a structure that protects them, and they know it. If you expect real accountability or psychological safety, you won’t reliably find it here. Everyone at Cisco knows that if you end up with a terrible manager, you’re stuck and eventually have to find a new job. I’ve watched that dynamic play out for nearly a decade. P.S. Cisco’s “Best Place to Work for Women” recognition is tied to external PR and doesn’t reflect the internal reality for many women.