Where a promotion only means a new name plate! Employee appreciation - What's That?! - Anonymous employee Northern Trust Employee Review

3.0
Jan 22, 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Stable financial institution. Many days off.

Cons

The salaries are terrible - there is no longer a profit sharing plan - pension is not competitive with 3% match rate There is no financial incentive when you are promoted - you get a new name plate and more responsibility. When you are promoted no one celebrates - you may get a cookie, a soda, and a pat on the back. Absolutely no candor is allowed. One is looked at as unprofessional if one speaks their mind. Senior management says their "doors are always open" but will cancel and reschedule and cancel again when you schedule meetings. There is little support for sales people - there is constant organizational change which means administrators may at times support five people and are not allowed to go to lunch. Nothing is communicated until the last minute - while Senior Management prides themselves on "openess". In essence this company is light years behind its competitors with regard to technology, salary, promotion, employee appreciation, and the "Go Green" movement. Northern Trust still uses styrofoam.

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5.0
Jul 8, 2026
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CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits and work environment

Cons

Nothing that’s too much of a con

2.0
Apr 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people and a good environment. Benefits are good and the work is interesting. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate NT as a 7. But, it’s typical big corporate crap that hands out 2% raises and minimum bonuses during a good year yet spends $360 million this past quarter buying their stock back.

Cons

Constant reminders to do more with less and cut costs and belt tightening while the execs line their pockets and you maybe get a 2% raise. I could see such actions if the firm was doing bad financially, but they aren’t. Record this and record that for many quarters now. And they walk around patting each other on the back like they all did such a great job when in reality, the markets are up so the value of the assets we manage are up. I’m wondering what sort of actions will happen when the market goes south for several quarters. Oh. And the constant state of surveillance here is BS. Tracking to make sure you are here 3 days a week. Keyboard / mouse / PC tracking systems receding your activity. It’s like a 21st century high tech sweatshop in some ways.

2
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