First Data Reviews

Pros

Fun people to work with for the most part. Pay is good if you are good at the job. Management isn't strict about taking time off

Cons

Sometimes management can treat you like a kindergartner.. Looking over your shoulder. Not the most proffessional of work environments. Sales leads are not always consistent

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees instead of trying the same things over and over again and expecting different results. Invest in new technology (I have a 10 year old computer) and also invest in some activities and benefits to raise morale in such stuffy work environment

Pros

management are lovely, caring and kind.

Cons

Ive been a temp for 6 month now through an agency, was informed it was 3 months temp then to perm with a 6k payrise and commision, now 6 months later there is only one contract and myself and another going for it, we where both promised the same thing. its very unfiar way of business.

Pros

Working remotely is available as needed
Relaxed work environment
Promotional opportunities

Cons

Inadequate annual bonuses and raises

Pros

good benefits, flex time, volunteer time off, gift matching

Cons

continuously scans workforce and RIF if necessary

Pros

extrememly flexible
left to schedule my own appts

Cons

increased pressure to over charge customer

Advice to Senior Management

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Pros

Good pay and vacation and sick time, close to home, no more good reasons to give, flexible work schedule

Cons

unreponsive management, very disorganized company in general
too big,

Advice to Senior Management

listen to employees, get workers input before making decisions that affect them

Pros

Home work life balance, great employees and equal pay.

Cons

Lacking inspriational leadership. Sr leaders need addtiional expereience and or coaching in leading large organizations.

Pros

Salary and benefits are good. In most areas, accommodations for routine life / family issues can be easily made. Most technical resources are highly skilled and very good at what they do.

Cons

Culture is slow to accept "outsiders". Long-time employees are favored because of their internal political connections. Too many decisions are made based on internal politics.

Advice to Senior Management

Look for management resources that aren't "yes" men or wormen.

Pros

Good people to work with. Layed back atmosphere and easy going people. Money is ok but can get better in a bigger company. Out of the hussle and bustle of the City.

Cons

North Sydney based. Management have their favourites and tend to promote within 'the crowd'. Systems are lacking and outdated. Long walk from North Sydney station.

Advice to Senior Management

Promote on merit not based on your friendships. Pay more money to those with the experience and knowledge. Provide more career opportunities within. Pay bonuses!

Pros

Because FD is such a large company they can support higher salaries relative to the same position at smaller companies.

Cons

*Private equity firm KKR is slashing expenses as real revenue growth has been challenging since acquisition. *Re-organization has been the word of the day for the past three years. It seems like every month there is a new leadership team, new reporting alignment, consolidation of functions and groups. Executives are forced out, new (buddies) are brought in, management layers are added, and the squeeze is increased on lower level employees. *In recent years FD has adopted the practice of hiring from the outside versus promoting from within. HR is incommunicado with internal candidates who apply for new postings, only sending the stock "thanks but no thanks" email after the position is filled. *Headquarters was moved from Denver to Atlanta. No internal announcement was made. Employees were notified via the 10Q where essential company information lists the location of the company HQ. *Denver employees who have not been relocated will not be offered positions in Atlanta. "You can have a job in Denver but the careers are in Atlanta". *Morale is at an all time low. Rising healthcare costs, reduced merit increases, no opportunity for advancement, and constant RIF's at all levels has decimated the workforce. The message from the top is all smiles and happiness, but there is no trust and little respect from those in the trenches.

Advice to Senior Management

Jon Judge is a nice guy and seems genuinely concerned with improving employee morale. His goal is to have FD rated as one of the "Best Places to Work," but he has his work cut out for him. Unfortunately, he is constrained by the performance expectations of KKR, and therefore, is limited by what he can do in terms of spend. Employees have grown weary of the promises of brighter days ahead while witnessing cutbacks, RIF's, and increased pressures. Continuous process improvement and "do more with less" are constant axioms in business today with good reason. However, in a private equity situation, that philosophy is magnified to the detriment of employee job satisfaction. Years ago, (in the Rick and Charlie days) FD was a prosperous company with clear objectives, and it provided opportunities and security for it's employees. Hopefully it can regain some of this status in the coming years, but it will be a long hard road and will require a dedicated effort by the EC to make it happen.