Securian Financial Reviews in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN Area

Pros

Excellent place to work in Saint Paul.

Cons

Good people. Good work/life balance.

Pros

- Room for growth - they promote from within
 - Great communications from management and other departments.

Cons

- If you are more than 30 min late, they count it as an unexcused absence. Even in the event of very bad weather. (think of last winter and you live more than 20 min away).
- If you have more than 6 unexcused absences in a year, you can't get promoted. So, if you have children AND you live farther away, you probably will never get promoted.

Advice to Senior Management

Rethink the rules on unexcused absence, it seem unfair for those who have a longer commute and/or have young children. Also look into working from home options, which would definitely help great workers who get stuck in traffic every time there's a snow fall.

Pros

They are very upfront about pay range for a position - rarely see that. Generally their pay is fair. Training is generally good. Highest level management is generally very respected and well liked. They make good/ethical decisions for the company's well being.

Cons

In some cases too many people report to one manager and only the "favorites" get attention. Employees aren't generally treated equally - there is a lot of favoritism. Some positions aren't paid very well for what they do.

Advice to Senior Management

Review effectiveness of mid level management.

Pros

The ideal Securian candidate enjoys low stress, a decent pay check, and working with nice peers for 30+ years.

Securian's best benefits are ample vacation, a pension plan, and flexible work hours.

Cons

Securian only hires for entry level positions and then promotes associates from within. This sounds appealing for those looking for a long term stable career, however, it breeds management and 'experienced' associates who lack innovation and creativity. No fresh ideas are allowed to break into the Securian atmosphere since higher grade positions are not posted externally and new associates' ideas are stifled due to their lack of experience.

Securian management fails to recognize the talents of younger associates. Many associates with 3-5 years of experience become frustrated due to lack of respect. As younger associates tire of not being heard and many are passed up for promotions, they leave. The remaining associates are those who fit the Securian culture, and a new generation of management is born.

Advice to Senior Management

Recognize the abilities of your younger associates. If you truly want ingenuity, you need ideas from external sources, not just ideas from associates who have been behind the Securian's veil for 10+ years.

Pros

Company is basically stable and OK compensation. Benefits aren't outstanding but adequate.

Cons

Longevity in associates results in a "we've always done it this way attitude" so difficult to introduce new ideas or technologies. HR dept is ineffective in mitigating employee issues. There is a prevailing "if you don't like it, leave" attitude. Limited advancement opportunities. IT department is closed off from the rest of the company and very siloed.

Pros

Great Benefits and Good people

Cons

Not a lot of growth opportunities, no traveling, only location is St. Paul

Advice to Senior Management

Allow more growth

Pros

Open to new ideas and technology and laid back environment

Cons

No flexible hours, not to organized

Advice to Senior Management

Be a pioneer in building IT team and strengthen them with more knowledge and discipline.

Pros

Very structured company with a strong presence in the Twin Cities. Really learned a lot about my profession. Worked on very interesting projects and learned a lot of the technical and analytical skills.

Cons

The hiring process is overly bureaucratic. They're way too worried about protecting their culture. They'll only hire people they can manipulate into thinking the "Securian way". That's not a culture of openness, that's borderline dictator-like. I know finding the right people are important, but

Advice to Senior Management

Don't let your HR gate-keepers pull the strings for the company. I know HR is now playing a more strategic role for companies, but don't give them all the leverage. I feel that the other financial functions within the company don't have enough say in who they want to hire. Please realize that HR recruiters with all their "expertise" shouldn't pull 75% of the strings.

Pros

Employer freindly, great locaton and laid back.

Cons

Low salary, nothing else i can think of

Advice to Senior Management

None

Pros

Benefits, Stability, and Pay are unmatched for recent college grads. Life work balance is great, hardly ever have to work more than 40 hours in a week.

Cons

A much older work force, not very progressive, very conservative environment. Hardly any recognition for work done and limited opportunities for progression.

Advice to Senior Management

Take more notice of those beneath you and quit spending money on lavish hotels/conferences and telling associates that you can't afford to give them more than a $500 raise.