First Data Reviews in Sacramento, CA Area

Pros

Your fellow employees are the only reason to work there. FirstData is a company filled with hard working competent employees below the Director Level. Currently the benefits package is attractive. All that will be re-written in September of 2009 when KKR's agreement to maintain those packages expires.

Cons

A complete lack of communication in upper management. A confusing mix of a culture of fear, a complete lack of reason in some cases, and ridiculous timelines that are designed to be missed fosters an air of frustration and gross inefficiency in practice. FirstData has a clear goal for the future, to make money for KKR. To attain that goal they must move quickly, decisively, and intelligently. Unfortunately, the senior leadership is entrenched in their old ways of doing things that are wrapped in mind boggling layers of red tape. The message from the executive leadership rivals the rhetoric of presidential candidates and is poorly executed by the leaders below them. The executives want to transform FirstData into a nimble quickly reacting leader in the market space. To accomplish this you must be willing to take risks. However, at FirstData there is no reward for risk, ever. If you take the risk and are successful you are not even recognized, in most cases your senior leadership takes credit for your efforts, regardless of the level of effort needed to accomplish the task. If you take a risk and fail that is the end of your near term career at FirstData and your senior leadership will be the first to throw you under the bus.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees. Treat them fairly, treat them like assets rather then liabilities. Accept the reality of remote employment instead of shunning it and sending the workplace into a throwback of the mid 80's. Some of the best employees you have never stepped foot in a First Data office. Embrace calculated and measurable risk. The introverted empire building mentality of your senior leadership in Omaha will cause you to fail to meet your company wide goals. Omaha senior leadership needs a refresh.

Pros

The company has been great to work for in the past years.

Cons

KKR purchased us and hired Michael Capellas. Now all that I have talked to wonder if the company will survive. Getting rid of 80% of all IT staff? I would hate to be business or one of the 20% left behind to clean up and try to keep the doors of the company open.

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate better. Look long term. It appears that all actions that the executive team is doing is so short term. It will only make the company look good for a stock offering, but destroying its medium to long term future.

Pros

The only compelling reason to EVER work at First Data is to gain insight into truely exceptional incompetence, ignorance and illegality that is allowed and encouraged in the workplace by HR and Management. One can only fully appreciate decent, respectable employees and fellow competent, caring employers when they have been exposed to the lowest common denominator of business ethics.

Cons

In every respect, First Data is the worst company to work for and/or conduct business with. Their own employee guidelines regarding conduct of any kind are totally neglected. Workmanship shoddy. Supervision unprofessional and childish. Any employee who objects and reports reprehensible conduct faces threats of hostile ridicule, demotion, physical threats and job loss.

Advice to Senior Management

Senior Management has ALWAYS been part of problem as they adamantly refuse "Open Door" policies and blindly and purposely embrace Front Line Supervisor side of stories. HR and Management have NO CHOICE but to constantly conspire to cover-up any reported blatant indiscretions they allow. Lies remain foundation of company structure.