Pros
Farmers has a career path that allows for individuals to advance at a fairly reasonable time. Management tries to make changes but thanks to the lawsuits, the workplace has become more of a babysitting feeling than an adult works here type of place. Compensation is average to below average. The benefits used to be amazing. Health insurance was reasonable, the profit sharing was great and the month of profit sharing was a party. It really made you feel valuable to the company. With the move to Zurich, profit sharing is now one week and the guidelines are so stringent, getting off the phone for call center employes removes most of the activities available to them. Places change so it is something to get used to. Tuition reinbursement is great if you are getting a business associated degree. They paid for my education. I think they are a somewhat fair company to work for depending on your position. I feel that upper managment really cares about the employees and they aredoing all they can to be good liasons between Zurich and the Farmers employees. Yet when it gets to middle management, there seems to be a disconnect. The VP's will travel around and say grat things and make you feel good about the company you work for, yet, when their vision is put into practice by mid levels, everything falls apart. David Travers and Bob Woudstra and those around them seem to just "get it". Once you leave their presence, it is more of a sheep vs. wolves atmosphere. There is a department whose sole job is to increase employee morale or engagement. Great idea, now put the money behind it to move it along. It is amazing at how diffferent the employee engagement survey is when employees actually feel valuable and not despised. Farmers is well run and very conservative. So the technology is a bit behind and they are covering flesh wounds with bandages for the time being. But having over 8 million policy holders, it takes time change a system based on old technology and code. An honest company who I think wants good things for their employees.
Cons
The non-exempt employees are treated as children. The mid level exempt employees are over-worked and not thanked enough and the leadership, sometimes one questions WTH... Depending on location the supervisor job can be heaven or hell. Some of the directors are complete idiots who care about nothing but themselves and treat those around them like they are in the way whereas others really show they care about the employees. Leadership training is little to none. So if you are not a good supervisor before you get the position, you will not become one. Sometimes they promote based on performance but my experience is, they promote based on favortism. The matrix system is one that can be manipulated and weighted to promote the individual they want in the position. And, your leadership can sabatoge your career with one salary review that is not exceeds expectations. The promotional capabilities really fall under how well does your direct leader like you. Performance is questionable. I have seen individuals who are amazing with their co-workers get turned down for leadership because they think the friendships will get in the way of their ability to criticize and employee in review times. So then they hire the heartless individual who has no people skills and we lose some great employees. Idea stealing is rampant because you can be promoted based on one good idea. So there is a wall up around employees who have been here a while. Leadership could do better at recognizing talent and rewarding jobs well done. They moved form cash spot bonuses to a point system and now instead of receiving cash for something you have done, they divy up the points to small groups and say, take this 5 points and buy yourself a pack of bubble gum. Middle-management has serious issues. They think that everything that comes out of their mouths is the greatest thing for the industry. A wise manager said this, "The industry is over a hundred years old, you ar selling a policy and covering claims. Don't make it harder than it needs to be." Middle management seems to read the newest books then implement the easiest parts of the ideas without any follow through. then when problems arise they jump to new books and blame the process for te issues and not themselves. It is somewhat funny at times and painful at other times to watch. Then again, they are just people trying to make it along in this lonely life.