Paychex Reviews

Pros

There aren't many good reasons to work at Paychex... I'd say the only good thing I have gotten from my experience is the knowledge about payroll taxes. I've learned a lot of information in that regard, but only because as an employee here you get tons of clients thrown at you with all sorts of problems that you have to figure some things out quicky. Also, I've personally learned what I DON'T want in an employer from working here.

Cons

Paychex doesn't have much respect for their payroll specialists. Payroll specialists are the front-line of this company... we are the ones who handle all the crap work, and deal with the clients on a day-to-day basis, but yet, as a company, Paychex gives us no respect. They roll out all the works for the sales department, but during National Payroll week don't do a thing for the payroll specialists. A lot of the managers "say" they care to help raise moral, but don't actually listen to their employee's suggestions.

Paychex does not allow overtime either. Which is pretty riduculous at year-end when we have "block out time" because we are so busy, but are kicked out the door at 5pm. And when clients complain that their problems aren't fixed in a timely manner, these come back to the payroll specialists who have 300+ clients and aren't allowed to work over 40 hours a week to get things done.

Also, many supervisors don't understand the concept of confidentiality. I've overheard supervisors gossiping to one another about a reason an employee left early for a doctors appointment. The supervisors, and management, also promise things but never delivery. You can be promised some kind of reward, but it will be taken away without notice. They will also plan fun surprises, but never come through with them.

Overall, this company seems to be getting worse and worse.

Advice to Senior Management

I don't think there's enough space on this website to let management know what I think would need to be done to help fix this company...

Pros

Good Work/Family Balance. Mgmt Stays out of your Business

Cons

No raise in 8 years, low 401k match. expense compared to local vendors that can provide similar services. Pay is probably the lowest in the industry. Company is putting more money into small bus dept rather than majors. Lots of change at c level departments.

Advice to Senior Management

Finanically recoginze your more tenured employees. Increase 401k match, bring back raises for all employees. We loose too many good reps and specialists because pay is low and they are overworked

Pros

The level of management is great! They are very flexible in allowing you to have a work/home life balance. They allow for your to grow and have a tuition reimbursement program that I used to graduate from college.

Cons

The only thing I haven't liked about the position is the high level of turnover, yet this can be attributed to individual managers in the hiring process.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to promote from within throughout the company, I believe it leads to great harmony and work ethic. The next person in line will always try to help and know that that help will pay off.

Pros

In field OPS you can gain valuable experience in payroll, payroll taxes, payroll software, and customer service. Paychex is a decent place to learn, just not a long term career move for most. Treat your stay as an extended internship and you'll be satisfied. Benefits are reasonable - insurance and retirement options are affordable. Time off is typical two weeks, but goes up after 5 years. Exempt employees get additional sick time for time served with company.

Cons

Pay is very low for the job market. Paychex apparently bases it's wage on the banking industry, when payroll specialists/customer service reps are essentially HR and Accounting consultants. The work doesn't match up to the work load - high turnover is the result.

Semi-Annual Bonus is lame - not based on personal performance, but office performance. High turnover and undervalued employees results in poor customer feedback and inability to reach arbitrary corporate goals.

Annual reviews / merit increases are minimal - typically 2 - 3 percent.

Inadequately managed. Supervisors are expected to be full-on business managers, and actual managers want to delegate and "teach" the supervisors.

Interviewing is arduous (often 3 weeks+ with 5+ meetings) and mgmt still hire poorly qualified or poorly motivated candidates.

Likely typical large corporate complaints. If you're a "glass half full" person Paychex is probably a good fit. Otherwise, think twice before making the plunge.

Advice to Senior Management

Genuinely value your employees. Stop working so hard to get accolades published in business magazines and actually change the work culture to earn those accolades. Pay your employees a decent wage - no one likes being taken for a ride. Don't dangle carrots (growth, advancement, bonus) with no real intention of delivering.

The professional workforce has changed. Take the lead of some of the innovators - Google or Apple - genuinely value your workforce. People shouldn't be replaceable, but instead indispensable. Paychex could be "a great place to work." It's takes business leaders to make it so.

Pros

Great benefits package including vacation time, flex time, personal time, dental and health insurance, etc. Great learning experience for future jobs. Direct supervisors, for the most part, were great. Supervisors always willing to help and very knowledgeable. Paid training in New York.

Cons

Run like a cult and is very "clicky". If higher management likes you, you're in, but if they don't, you're blacklisted. Advancements are not given to employees based on performance, but rather if upper management likes you or not. Very unfair and they pick their favorites. I was ranked # 2 in stats and was never commended once for this. Pay sticks and very small raises if any, which makes no sense if I was ranked #2 in stats.. Only way to advance or get a decent raise is by level work and tests, which is ridiculous. Never allowed enough "study" time. Overload on client base in comparison to wages paid. Overall, just upset with management and their views and lack of respect for employees. Oh, and the interview process is a joke.. They make you jump through hoops!!

Advice to Senior Management

Treat all employees with respect and give advancement opportunities to ALL employees, not just the select few that are your favorites. Control work load and compensate employees with better pay raises. Better starting wage would be nice too. Control the "clicks" and avoid this from happening. Get control over branch managers and don't allow them to pick out their favorites and give them all the breaks..

Pros

Stable company with free cash flow. Overall company culture seems well intended but the individual regions are all operated independently.

Cons

The independence of "zones" leaves some areas with a great experience and others with a Pain filled existance. You are at the mercy of this persons whims. Good or bad. District managers are puppets to this group.

Micro management is an understatement.

Advice to Senior Management

Trust somebody once in awhile, stop standing on everyones desk and let us get to work. (by "get to work" I mean selling something, not doing a report for you)

Pros

Good with allowing for time off.
Good training programs.
Great benefits package.

Cons

Poor management decisions. The company has drifted away from its model too. No care for employees anymore or clients. The shareholders are the only people that matter.

The newest executive team is slashing pay throughout the company. Employee pay has become a revenue stream for the company.

Advice to Senior Management

Remember what this company is truly about. Tom Golisano was fair to the employees and dedicated to the clients. Shareholders are not the primary reason for the company's existance.

Take care of the employees. The employees will take care of the customers. The customers will take care of the shareholders.

Pros

*Nationwide company which allows flexibility/opportunity to relocate if need be.
*The CEO Marty Mucci is an outstanding example of what a CEO should be-he is ethical & successful.

Cons

*Poor direct leadership (District Management)-may very well differ from office to office.
*Mislead prospective employees in order to close the job offer.
*Benefits are lacking in comparison to similar companies

Pros

- Good benefits
- Open management
- Good teamwork

Cons

- Below average pay
- Senior management seems to be stuck in "old school" thinking
- IT infrastructure is behind the time in some places

Advice to Senior Management

Let's use some cash to upgrade technology and make our environments more stable.

Pros

Professional treatment of employees, Amazing training programs and wonderful management support. My supervisor LISTENS to what I say and acts on it to improve the overall employment experience. The benefits are great and the pay is comparable in the market.

Cons

Being a big company, there can be some bureaucratic frustrations. Some divisions/departments are better run than others. If you are a self-starter, you will do fine.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep doing what you are doing.