ISO Reviews

Pros

Training programs offered for various positions; opportunities for advancement on different tracks; education programs supported and rewarded; support and understanding from management, people who DESERVE to be rewarded are the ones who are rewarded, great benefits package.

Cons

No option for tele-commuting even though many aspects of the job can be performed this way; Not enough sick time allowed for in Paid Time Off.

Advice to Senior Management

As seen in the variety of reviews, variations in employee reviews and development in the different areas of the organization -- need more consistency.

Pros

I think that the starting pay, at least, is quite competitive. There are a variety of jobs, in IT, actuarial, and the data areas, and you can (in theory, at least) easily transfer if not happy where you are. For those pursuing a career as an actuary, it is an excellent place to start -- very good educational benefits, and raises for passing exams. In general, you don't have to worry about layoffs -- jobs are pretty secure. People have noted that the average salary increase is about 3%, which is true, but annual bonuses are paid at an average of 5% or so. I believe the benefits package is in general at least average.

Cons

While the stock price has gone up 10% a year for the last two years, and senior management is cashing in stock options at $30 per share profit, benefits for staff are being cut (e.g., pensions eliminated) and so far there's been no positive impact on our salaries or bonuses. The company nickel-and-dimes its employees -- lights replaced slowly, cold water in the bathrooms and pantries, replacing individual paper towels with dispensers, etc. Too much in the way of micromanagement -- senior management does not provide a lot of room for upper management to operate. Inequities in compensation, based on inequities in the way revenue is allocated -- great for some, but not for others. Cookie-cutter one-size-fits-really-none performance evaluation system, poor HR software. No sick time, just paid-time-off. Telecommuting extremely limited. The Jersey City location not very easy to drive to, although there is parking near the building.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay more than lip-service to the slogan that employees are the life-blood of the organization. Find a way to better communicate the rationale for cutting benefits while the company outperforms the market. Eliminate the inequities in compensation -- you're crazy if you think the rank-and-file isn't aware that simply by transferring to another area they could instantly make more money for no more work. And is getting hot water so hard?

Pros

Tuition reimbursement (if approved), standard vacation time (PTOs). Access to insurance information/expertise. Supports exams/insurance designations.

Cons

Career advancement is non-existant. Main responsibilities remain the same year after year. Talent and work efforts are not recognized. It is impossible to move up or to other departments within ISO. Skills learned on-the-job are not competitive/applicable within Business Analyst industry.

Advice to Senior Management

Entry level salary and responsibilites might be ok. However, responsibilities and salary remain at entry level, even when you get promoted. If you want to retain employees, please contrinue educating them and compensate them based on experience and work ethic.

Pros

Professional Certification - Location, Stability

Cons

Promotions, Corporate Culture, Managers, Parking, Lack of Mobility

Advice to Senior Management

More Flexibility and Focus on Younger Employees

Pros

Opportunity to learn a lot on the job (in the beginning). Competitive compensation and benefits.

Cons

Career path non-existent. Too many incompetent managers (and above) that have been around 25+ years and are not going anywhere.

Advice to Senior Management

Major management overhaul is required.

Pros

opportunity for hands on experience; have independence to work on projects; flexible time; great support to further your education; great people to work with;

Cons

gets stagnant in job; not a whole lot of opportunity for growth; no proper metrics to measure projects success/failure

Pros

Benefits, flexible hours, good training program. Good for a temp/start work for a short time.

Cons

Lack of a clear understanding of how the promotion/raise system works or that is intentionally not explained or summarized and kept it in gray area. So that favorism can be exercised. Not unusual that you may see individuals with a distinct skill set and numerous accomplishments having the same or a lower rank than other people in the same division who are not nearly as talented or accomplished. Promotions and raises is influenced by personal relationships and connections than actual performance. Many individuals raise that concern at many occasions to the management, obviously ignored. No rewards, no encouragement, no thanks.
Do not offer competitive salaries.

Advice to Senior Management

Encourage employees, outline the individual program for each employee and define the career path and award the good performing employees. Post the management position and give a fair opportunity to everyone, do not fill the positions just because someone is favorite.

Pros

Iso is a great company with lots of opportunity... The perks are wonderful. I actually love my job and I am proud to work for iso...

Cons

I don't get an opportunity to interact with others in the company as I work from home

Pros

Friendly atmosphere and flexible hours.
Solid benefits package.
Employees are encouraged develop as insurance professionals and not criticized for taking exams regardless of the outcome.
New employees receive excellent training and more often than not good mentors when they first come to ISO.

Cons

No one has a clear understanding of how the promotion system works as you may see individuals with a distinct skill set and numerous accomplishments having the same or a lower rank than other people in the same division who are not nearly as talented or accomplished. This leads many veterans to accuse the promotion system of being more influenced by personal relationships and connections than actual performance.

There is an initiative to seek out talented individuals to fast track them into management roles but the huge flaws in that logic are that a) there are few management positions available because underperforming managers are hard to eliminate no matter how many workers they may alienate b) not every good worker is suited to be a manager and c) there is no attention paid to what happens when an excellent worker gets promoted and there aren’t qualified analysts to fill their position.

The lack of attention and resources directed towards the pool of talented workers who are not in management has led to many individuals burning out and becoming complacent or leaving the company as their voices are either not heard or disregarded as there have been few, if any substantive changes in procedures over the past decade.

Advice to Senior Management

There has been plenty of feedback provided over the years but senior management has chosen to ignore most of the constructive criticism to the detriment of the company because it could be much stronger than it is already.

Pros

Nice people to work with
No hassle of going to NYC
Good view of the city, Nice location
Some good benefit package (health benefits)
Stability and security in the workplace.

Cons

Cheap raises, favoritism, low salaries as compared to industry. Use of too much paper should be more electronic. Management styles are lacking
Parking
Commuting
Lack of management support
Salary is low, not much of raise and promotion
Recognition is very low
Lack of technical knowledge by the upper management
Many people leave for better paying/motivating jobs.
Starting to hire more outsource
Promotion seems to be given to friends of management
Have to play politics to get to anywhere, who speak louder are getting ahead and who works hard and keeping quiet are getting abused.

Advice to Senior Management

fairness in promotions and not only based on favoritism.