Let me start with the fact that Amica had so many people jumping ship (given the relatively low base pay, structural changes and poor supervisors) that that they had to offer quarterly retention bonuses to minimize the turnover. If that's not a flag, then perhaps it'd be a flag to know that, after 3 years, only two people in my 26-person training cohort remain with Amica.
Getting into some specifics, it's important to start that Amica is not inclusive. Upper management is very much Caucasian male, stray from any real conversations on DEI, and are very unsupportive of mental and physical disabilities. There are no employee resource groups. During my time there, I witnessed one employee in my training cohort get actively encouraged to quit by the training manager due to her physical disability (not being able to lift 20+ pounds) and another employee's confidential short term disability decision spread like wildfire by supervisors while she was continually pressured to return. I personally rejected my therapist's recommendation to request short term disability for similar reasons and fear of my job as I was told by my supervisor and manager numerous comments along the lines of "everyone has mental health issues" and how daily anxiety attacks were "normal for the job so maybe my goal should be to get them down to every other day."
Another important thing to know is that the impact that a poor supervisor can have on you here is considerable. Over 3 years, I had 9 supervisors and learned quickly that, in any given vertical, 1-2 supervisors are known to adjusters as the "problem supervisors," i.e. folks who are known for flagging the majority of their team for manager meetings and improvement plans. One supervisor in particular was my inspiration for leaving as she was an extreme micro-manager. She believed in checking your mail inbox daily and commenting on emails you've sent, counting the number of times you opened a file, counting the number of words in your update notes, and choosing random days where she would shadow your laptop and calls for hours at a time (when I say shadow, think about those times when you give IT access) -- and so much more. Every member of the team worked consistently 14 hour+ days, 6 days a week and always, always had their work phones on them throughout the night. Under her, the majority of the team was placed in manager meetings, improvement plans, or similar, which allowed her to withhold bonuses, retention bonuses, professional development activities, and more. While the manager was made aware of these complaints, they were shrugged off and all requests to change supervisors were denied. (Magically, once she left, everyone no longer needed manager meetings and improvement plans.)
Finally, work-life balance. Yikes! Besides the hours I referenced before, know that it will be extremely difficult for you to take PTO. Ever. In order to do so, you will need 1) to ask your supervisor at least two weeks in advance (who can subjectively approve/reject); 2) to not be behind on any tasks/claims (both at the time of asking and the time of PTO); 3) to select a date where 0-1 team members are out; and 4) trade favors to find yourself a delegate, as in one person on your 3-4 person team who's willing to watch your inbox and all tasks (i.e. doubling their work) for the time you're away. (Note that team members who are too new or behind will be rejected as an option so hopefully your team's full.) You'll be encouraged to find yourself a delegate even if your PTO is for medical reasons or if you're preparing for FMLA or similar.
Ever since I left Amica, I've had folks ask me if I miss it or regret anything. My only regret is not leaving sooner and how much of my time, confidence and mental health I lost by choosing to stay as long as I did. Ultimately, I accepted a job offer that was $15k higher, maintained a 40-hour work week (or close enough), and truly respected me as a human being. I'm thriving in their leadership pipeline program today.
I hope Amica's culture fundamentally changes as I wish nothing but the best for my friends still pushing through.
