Securian Financial Reviews

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

As far as compensation and promotions, I found it an ideal workplace. 4 promotions in less then ten years and pretty good raises

Cons

The good neighbor philosphy is pretty much a bunch of bunk. While traveling on business I received an injury, they paid for the damage to my personal property but wouldn't help me with medical and the like.

Advice to Senior Management

Rules are rules, however rather then only doing what they are legally obligated to do, management should use reason and judgement.

Pros

Pay is good if you've been there 30 years, which most employees have been!

Cons

Low turnover of employees that they tout is actually a negative: it really means old school, old ideas, old ways of doing things.
Benefits package is shrinking.
Some managers have no clue.

Advice to Senior Management

Get some new fresh blood in the mix. New hires from schools other than the favorites by the current Human Resources recruiters!

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

They are a very stable company that takes the long-term outlook and has conservative risk management. They have high initial salaries compared to other entry level positions. Many promotions come from within.

Cons

They love to tout great benefits but apart from time off and a defined benefit plan, they are nothing special. Raises are down, job growth is down, healthcare costs are up. Even though the market has returned and they have improved their position in the industry, they are still unable to give lower level employees any kind of meaningful raise. Meanwhile, they continue to lavish gift upon gift on sales associates and the "golden" members of the company.

Advice to Senior Management

Accept feedback about managers and hold them accountable. Get rid of the culture of loyalty above competence and stop only accepting the "Securian Way". Different viewpoints should be embraced, not pushed aside.

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.