TIAA reviews

Morale is low and because of the recent layoffs, people have become quick to throw people under the bus in order to save their own jobs. Many of the "old timers" (employees there longer than 10 years) are really, really bitter because they long for the old, paternalistic days. If you are a newer employee like me, you have to pass these unwritten "tests" or you get targeted. I almost quit the first year because I was the only new person on a team of 12 and my productivity was almost twice that of those who had been there 15 years. Luckily, my talent was recognized and I moved to a new department that had great leadership. Trying to figure out a career path is difficult and competition can be pretty cut throat for some of the jobs. It sometimes is that "it's not what you know but who you know". There is too much in-fighting between departments and even between locations. Charlotte against Denver, Wealth Management against Mass Market, Call center against operations.

Senior management always takes care of themselves first. They never tell the truth about upcoming layoffs, salary and bonus freezes, etc. It is a culture of favoritism. If you make sure that decision makers know you, you will do well. If you come in every day to do a good job, and spend your time on that job rather than always trying to become a favorite, you may find yourself out of a job -- regardless of your abilities and results. Respect is obviously not one of the corporate mandates.