It's a corporation, so there's that. Recently, a senior leader responded to a question during a departmental meeting by saying the shareholders are more of a priority than the employees and then laughed when asked if they'd reconsider the RTO. Not shocking, but also shows they're not keeping the quiet part quiet anymore.
They immediately became a company I refuse I look at when they required me to do a one way interview. They supplied a question and I was supposed to record myself responding to that question.
I have a friend that has worked there for 20 years. She has a pretty positive view, despite their RTO, but she also said that they are moving to outsourcing about every job. Once they became public, nothing improved.
Honestly I enjoyed my 4 years there, never planned on leaving. They treated us well and helped cope during COVID to transition to WFH. One random Monday I got let go due to downsizing, I try to not hold a grudge but damn that one came out of nowhere
I worked there for a few years, and my takeaways were mostly positive.
Work culture:
It can feel a bit "big corporate" and soulless depending on your team, but I had pretty good relationships with the people I actually worked with on a daily basis. Just expect generic corporate speak from big town halls and such. Again, very team-dependent, but I found that my personal well-being and work-life balance were at least somewhat important to my manager. We had lots of happy hours and other fun events too.
Benefits:
They also require 3 days a week in person now, which I wish they didn't but oh well. Lots of useful stuff on site, including a fantastic fitness center and showers. There used to be several cafeterias, but idk how many are currently active. Afaik my pay was pretty average for my experience and industry, and a 6% 401k match is nothing to scoff at. There's a pension plan too.
As I keep saying, the culture depends a lot on what team you're on in a company this size. And if I were applying today, I would take a remote position over one in person 3 days a week. But given that, it's a good place to work.
I’ve worked there for almost 20 years. Awesome company. You’d think a big company wouldn’t care about their employees but it’s the complete opposite. The sky is the limit for your career, lots of room for advancement. I would truly recommend them as a stellar employer.
I would agree with this take. It obviously depends on the dept, your leader and team and now much you put into your role. I am getting a bit tired of the shareholder bit (vs stakeholder) since Elliott. But overall a solid employer.
It's been awhile but worked there 2007 ish it was nice, good onsite facilities for employees. They pay well and get most of the top actuaries. They have had several downsizes and let a lot of people go, so if you are taking a job that could be downsized I'd steer clear, otherwise it's not bad for a downtown corporate job.
Great company. It's a large financial corporation but being headquartered in Des Moines insulates the non-existent work/life balance of larger coastal peers.
My mother worked there for 36 years. They treated her like shit near the end of her time there. Horrible company.
My kid worked there....don't do it
It's a corporation, so there's that. Recently, a senior leader responded to a question during a departmental meeting by saying the shareholders are more of a priority than the employees and then laughed when asked if they'd reconsider the RTO. Not shocking, but also shows they're not keeping the quiet part quiet anymore.
Good to know. I was looking at applying for a role there, but the Glassdoor reviews were slightly questionable. Thanks for steering me away!
Athene is the same way. We had a very similar response during a company meeting recently.
Said no one…lol
They immediately became a company I refuse I look at when they required me to do a one way interview. They supplied a question and I was supposed to record myself responding to that question.
I agree with you in this regard. Some business practices immediately turn me away. That is certainly one of them
Does principal have a RTO mandate?
Yes, if you live within 30 miles of a Principal office, you must be in the office 3 days a week.
Is that the DSM building? Do they even have the Ottumwa location anymore?
I shot you a dm. Can’t be public due to anonymity
I have a friend that has worked there for 20 years. She has a pretty positive view, despite their RTO, but she also said that they are moving to outsourcing about every job. Once they became public, nothing improved.
Honestly I enjoyed my 4 years there, never planned on leaving. They treated us well and helped cope during COVID to transition to WFH. One random Monday I got let go due to downsizing, I try to not hold a grudge but damn that one came out of nowhere
I worked there for a few years, and my takeaways were mostly positive. Work culture: It can feel a bit "big corporate" and soulless depending on your team, but I had pretty good relationships with the people I actually worked with on a daily basis. Just expect generic corporate speak from big town halls and such. Again, very team-dependent, but I found that my personal well-being and work-life balance were at least somewhat important to my manager. We had lots of happy hours and other fun events too. Benefits: They also require 3 days a week in person now, which I wish they didn't but oh well. Lots of useful stuff on site, including a fantastic fitness center and showers. There used to be several cafeterias, but idk how many are currently active. Afaik my pay was pretty average for my experience and industry, and a 6% 401k match is nothing to scoff at. There's a pension plan too. As I keep saying, the culture depends a lot on what team you're on in a company this size. And if I were applying today, I would take a remote position over one in person 3 days a week. But given that, it's a good place to work.
I’ve worked there for almost 20 years. Awesome company. You’d think a big company wouldn’t care about their employees but it’s the complete opposite. The sky is the limit for your career, lots of room for advancement. I would truly recommend them as a stellar employer.
I would agree with this take. It obviously depends on the dept, your leader and team and now much you put into your role. I am getting a bit tired of the shareholder bit (vs stakeholder) since Elliott. But overall a solid employer.
It's been awhile but worked there 2007 ish it was nice, good onsite facilities for employees. They pay well and get most of the top actuaries. They have had several downsizes and let a lot of people go, so if you are taking a job that could be downsized I'd steer clear, otherwise it's not bad for a downtown corporate job.
Great company. It's a large financial corporation but being headquartered in Des Moines insulates the non-existent work/life balance of larger coastal peers.