Prepare to swim upstream - Brokerage Associate Vanguard Employee Review

1.0
Jul 23, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

37.5 work week, a 401K retirement plan and after 3 years a work shift that allows me to spend time with my wife and children

Cons

You'll find stats driven by a division called the CONN. Vanguard is crafty in approaching their "no's" to scheduling time off or required trainings in a good cop, bad cop fashion. Every 15 minute or 30 minute interval of the entire day has a quotient associated with it. If you know anyone who has phoned Vanguard anytime recently, they'll tell you they've waited around 20-30 minutes to get through to someone. We have been understaffed for a longtime. Upper Mgmts approach is to work faster. So they grade something called "AHT" (Average handle time) as well as other drivers--that they feel lead to YOUR issue for not handling calls fast enough. If you work on the phone, you'll find that the pace is relentless. Go to use the restroom when management is staing at the "INOVA" (shows calls holding and such) boards, you'll hear about it during a one-on-one. This gets labeled as a infraction to "managing oneself" . An event like this stays with you for your annual review. The company always has a massive push to increase "engagement" after a large Gallup poll. Every year , the summary is negative overall as employees feel undervalued an unappreciated, so as a team member you are now assigned to figure ways to make the company look better.

Explore other reviews about Vanguard

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are amazing, good culture mostly

Cons

Middle management can focus too much on politics vs. improvements

3.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Awesome coworkers for young professionals. Paid licensing for a few months.

Cons

Micromanagement is out of control. Incompetent team leaders who are obsessed with power and metrics. Back to back calls, limited support, and nearly impossible effective communication between departments. Zero time to cultivate culture because you are taking calls every second of the day except for 30min/1hr lunch and two 15 minute breaks. You’re locked into your role for over a year (apprenticeship for around 60 days, then a year after promotion to associate) and your team leaders will not approve internal applications unless you are “eligible”.

4
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