I worked at Colonial Life for over 20 years. In the beginning it really felt like I was joining a family. People at all levels appeared to genuinely care for each other. As with all things this changed over time. Well, it changed with regards to upper management within not only Colonial Life, but Unum as well. It’s gotten to the point where it’s obvious that upper management doesn’t care about the average worker and they don’t care that you know it.
I spent my time within the IT organization which saw its fair share, or more than its fair share really, of changes throughout the decades I was there. Change is good, and important, but change for the heck of it is not. Unum tends to take common industry standard processes and customize the value out of it. For example, the agile development methodology is valuable; Unum agile - not so much. The company is unwilling, or worse unable, to make the necessary cultural changes required to be successful.
Then there are the layoffs. Yes, over time these are inevitable and in some cases they’re justified. There’s dead weight everywhere. But to let go of people and then turn around and off-shore that work has very bad optics. It’s just another way that the company shows that they don’t value their employees.
I’ll end with the best part…. Upper level management themselves. I refuse to call the Unum/Colonial Life upper management “leaders” because they’re far from it. The CEO brought in a new CIDO from Waste Management who proceeded to bring his buddies along for the ride. They’re the old Waste Management gang. Not all of them, mind you, but most of them. In several cases they are bullies as well. They belittle, demean and ultimately dehumanize the staff. They think they’re better than everyone else and don’t hesitate to show it. Cross them and you’re out. Complaints about some of them have reached all the way to the CEO and nothing happens. To me, that speaks the loudest of all. That the CEO not only brought these people in, but also supports how they’re treating people.
What a sad turn of events for a place that I really looked forward to going to each day. I also feel sorry for the people who are unwilling or unable to leave. In the end, the company will make the decision for you.
