Pros

Large company with plenty of growth opportunities. HQ building is beautiful, with large cafeteria and workout facility. Management very supportive and encouraging to build upon your strengths (claims department). Also have invested in "Claims University" which is a great learning facility.

Cons

Downtown area, no free parking. There are extensive audits & alot of annoyances like that though.

Advice to Senior Management

don't be quite as overbearing/ attentive to minor details. good job overall.

Pros

The company culture is relaxed and the people are very friendly. It seems that the company is very involved with the communities it operates in. There are always postings and announcements for opportunities to volunteer, and really makes me proud as an employee that the company is not solely concerned with its shareholders.

The company has a fortress-like balance sheet and I am not worried whatsoever about losing my job as so many others in finance do.

Cons

The senior management works out of New York City, despite that the company's headquartered in St. Paul.

Advice to Senior Management

Great job in not getting caught up in exotic financial instruments that have doomed so many other banks and insurance companies!

Pros

Solid company, good historical performance, opportunity to dominate its industry.

Cons

Big, sometimes too big and slow.

Advice to Senior Management

Take more chances!

Pros

Overall I have been very impressed with The Travelers. The company recognizes and rewards top performers. The company provides many opportunities for advancement for those that are motivated and willing to work towards advancement. Management has a very clear direction and always articulates the direction and strategy. Overall the benefits and compensations has been in-line with my expectations. My experience at the Travelers has been very positive to the point.

Cons

Travelers fosters a very competitive environment where the bar is continually raised. I perceive this as a postive, though it does make the work/life balance a little challenging. My typical work week is a minimum of 60 hours (including nights and weekends). I would not be able to keep up with my daily responsibilities if I did not work late evenings and weekends.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to raise the bar, though recognize that employees need a life balance.

Pros

Stable company with health benefits. Standard operating hours. Yearly reviews. Continuing education promoted if within company business. Office setting with professionals. Paid vacation with the ability to buy a week. 401k with matching contribution up to a percentage. E-tools t assist you with planning and investing in your 401k.

Cons

Higher education is not recognized or compensated for. A 2 year nurse receives the same pay as a 4 year nurse. Hiring management is not knowledgeable of the job the nurse does. Poor interviewing techniques used to hire nurses. Few opportunities provided to cross train the nursing staff into other areas of the insurance business. Continuing education outside of Travelers is not encouraged. Teaching/continuing education is geared towards Travelers principles and not necessarily based on current medical practices. Medical position statements are slow to change despite the overabundance of medical information to support a new technology.

Advice to Senior Management

Promote and reward your talented employees. Yearly review of your staff that manages your talent.

Pros

Great benefits and flexiblilty of virtual office set up

Cons

Corporate structure promotes a "Cover You Ass" environment where the field adjusters always take the heat.

Advice to Senior Management

Get rid of the old people and corporate suck ups. Bring in people that really care about your policy holders and what is best for them.

Pros

Strong Company that promotes ethics and rewards performance.

Cons

The Commute can be long.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work

Pros

Its a very solid company that should do well through the tough economic times. Its a very conservative company with an underwriting mindset, which equals stability in the long run. The entry level pay is very competitive and, while I cant compare the training to other companies, it exceeded my expectations. The umbrella is a well respected icon in the insurance business and Im proud to wear it. The company is well aware of the insurance market and is able to take early action on necessary business changes in order to stay competitive in the marketplace and remain profitable.

Cons

Overall the drawback in my opinion are minor. Not all offices are managed the same way, mine happens to be managed rather well, so I cant complain. Some people probably have the right to gripe as management in field offices can vary greatly. Corporate office, I would think has a more consistent approach. The business is constantly changing, so if you cant stand change that would be a huge mental roadblock. Overall it is a fast-paced performance driven quality control environment. If that last sentence made yoru head hurt, then Travelers would probably not be a good fit.

Advice to Senior Management

I think Travelers is running pretty lean on employees and the recent cutbacks has put a greater burden of work on the remaining employees. Im not sure if senior management realizes the amount of work that crosses our desk.

I would also like to say thank you for doing such an awesome job on top as our company really seams to be the thriving star in the industry!

Pros

Big company; stable; good growth .

Cons

Big company; poor communication; poor family/work balance efforts.

Advice to Senior Management

Management forcing employees to take positions they don't want and threatening to terminate employment if the position is not accepted gave me cause to leave.

Pros

The people are friendly and everyone is mostly supportive

Cons

Paying for parking in such a small city.

Advice to Senior Management

Do a better job on communicating position changes in the company