Providence reviews

3.5

62% would recommend to a friend

(6,531 total reviews)
avatar

Erik Wexler

50% approve of CEO

48% positive business outlook

Providence has an employee rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 6,531 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Providence employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Healthcare industry (3.4 stars).

Reviews by job title

7K reviews
2.0
Apr 1, 2012

Going downhill

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company has great values and being a Catholic organization, you are encouraged to be open about your faith. Deborah Proctor seems very genuine, kind, and smart. All the Sisters are wonderful!

Cons

Corporate is very secretive and wasteful. In the last few years, they have made decisions to downsize (which many companies have had to do) however they did not execute well and many employees were left wondering what happened to the values. Employees also learn that while they're taking hiring freezes, merit freezes, staff reductions, working double duty, etc. that corporate has been spending lavishly and continues to make secretive large dollar purchases on products that are not executed. Employees are discouraged to speak honesty when it is not what executives want to hear. They tell you there's an open door policy but when you express concerns, you are not well received and certainly learn a valuable lesson in keeping your mouth shut. Employees are now in an environment where they fear losing their jobs. When asking an employee in another department for any help that is needed from their department, it is now the norm to not receive a phone call back or email response period, even after several attempts. It's really become a sad place and it's common to hear in the hallways that "If I could find another job, I would leave immediately."

3.0
Jun 14, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-I work in the Health Plan side and it has been voted as #1 best health plan in Oregon -most people are very nice and are willing to help -company's mission is charity based as it is not-for-profit -decent work life balance if you can manage it

Cons

-little to no advancement in my department -too much work for not enough people -certain people play favorites -very very minimal annual raises -very gossip-y environment as it is dominated by women

1.0
Mar 11, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Incredible training ground for aspiring politicians. I’ve learned that a well-timed coffee with the right Director is worth more than a PhD and a 60-hour work week combined. If you enjoy the 'Who You Know' curriculum, you'll graduate with honors without ever touching even a spreadsheet. A masterclass in efficiency! Why bother with the stress of 'high performance' or 'skill building' when you can simply join the right Friday lunch group or movie date with your manager? It’s truly inspiring to see how a solid friendship with leadership can completely bypass the need for technical competence or meeting KPIs. Excellent opportunity to study 'Inner Circle Dynamics.' The company has a very clear career path: simply mirror the hobbies of the VP. I saved so much time on professional development once I realized that 'cultural fit' is actually just code for 'being the manager’s ex teammate'. Great for people who hate the 'meritocracy' grind. Success here is delightfully subjective. It’s a relief to know that as long as you’re in the 'favourite' folder, your results don't actually matter. Truly a stress-free environment for the well-connected! Phenomenal mentorship in the art of the 'Nod and Smile.' I’ve gained invaluable insights into how to fail upward. Watching the least qualified person in the room get promoted because they share a tailor with the leadership was the most honest career coaching I’ve ever received.

Cons

Unfortunately, this 'mentorship' isn't available to those who actually deliver the work. There is a severe 'competence penalty' here. If you are high-performing and capable, you are rewarded with more work and 'indispensability' in your current role, which effectively blocks your promotion. Meanwhile, those with fewer skills but better 'connections' are fast-tracked into leadership. In short: being good at your job is the biggest roadblock to moving up. A blatant reverse-meritocracy. Career growth is capped by how much of a threat your skills are to the status quo. Management values 'loyalty' and 'likability' over actual output, creating a culture where the most talented people are stuck doing the heavy lifting while the 'favorites' take the credits and titles. The company has a very clear 'Workhorse vs. Showpony' dynamic. If you have the skills, you’ll be the workhorse—quietly grinding away because 'we can’t afford to lose you in that role.' If you have the connections, you’ll be the showpony—promoted regardless of your actual contribution. It’s a frustrating place for anyone who expects their talent to be the engine of their career. #The Trap of Talent #Promotion via Proximity #Skill Stagnation #Merit is a Myth

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