Blue Cross Reviews

Pros

good work environment, nice wellness programs, opportunities for advancement, good study time for actuarial students, relatively good work life balance

Cons

not as flexible in terms of work schedules, due to being a big company with unionized workforce, every program or initiative should go through to many hoops to get implemented

Advice to Senior Management

let top performers and knowledge intensive departments have more flexible work schedules with work from home and flexible summer hours

Pros

The work-life balance is great at the Association along with the other employees.

Cons

There is not much room for professional growth and is very bureaucratic.

Pros

Employee benefits are very good
Easy access to public transportation
Good professional development opportunities
Some competent management at various levels

Cons

Highly political culture that is characterized by a "good old boy" network

Too many layers of management making senior leadership ignorant of what goes on in mid-level or supervisory levels of management

A mostly incompetent HR team that practices protection of upper management at all costs to the detriment of staff

A nearly total lack of collaboration between departments and even within departments and teams; despite numerous attempts to change culture, upper management and HR strive to maintain the status quo

Resources are squandered on upper management travel and perks while employees work using outdated equipment and software; IT upgrades are horribly slow in coming

Change management is non-existent and if it does pop-up somewhere it is quickly squashed

Advice to Senior Management

Scott Serota: You need to open your eyes to what is going on in your name. Come out of your office and talk honestly and openly to employees. Find out what horrors are happening in your name.

Pros

Great coworkers that were willing to help in a pinch. Comfortable surroundings in that I had the opportunity to work from home.

Cons

Bottom line focused management unresponsive to employee needs.

Pros

Good work hours all during the week.

Cons

Low pay compaird to other work places.

Advice to Senior Management

better pay

Pros

Strong research and strategy groups

Cons

Very silo-driven, Senior Mgmt doesn't talk to each other

Pros

Great benefits. Small IT for a large brand name company

Cons

Highly political as you move up the ladder

Advice to Senior Management

You are too political and there is way too much red tape that interferes with creativity.

Pros

1. Very professional staff working since wanted to live in Hawaii.
2. given considerable independence to develop systems and manage projects. My title didn't match my work which was between Senior Business Analyst and IT Systems Analyst and often project manager.

Cons

1. Very bureaucratic as large company.
2. Too much of major systems outsourced which reduced control possibilities by the company.
3. Too much use of inexpensive, although competent, technical staff from India.

Advice to Senior Management

1. Listen more to staff. Too much panic decisions.

Pros

Work / Life balance is good. A little above average compensation. Good benefits.

Cons

No established career tracks combined with being a flat organization. Ineffecient process and extremely political.

Pros

The benefits are great if you're an employee. The people are great to work with. Standard processes have already been created.

Cons

Contractors are treated like second class citizens. It's like you're always walking on glass around them. You always have to becareful of what you say and do. One wrong move and you will be fired!The management talent level is sub-standard. They make sure your talent is not exposed to other management. They want followers not leaders. Thinking outside the box and going above and beyond is not allowed. They will work you to the ground. Micro managment is rapant throughout the company

In essence, terrible place to work if you're a contractor. Management is heartless. If you are let go, your last day will be on the same day. Blue Cross does not care about you!!!

Advice to Senior Management

Allow people to have a voice. BCBS should be more receptive to innovation and ideas. Ideas are often disregarded by the management filters. You should allow constructive criticism.