Forrester Benefits

Matching 401K is an excellent benefit.

Forrester's benefits package is standard at best. Highlights include good health insurance, PTO, sick days, 401K matching, ESPP, and a work from home policy (although for a "flexible" benefit, the WFH policy is very rigid). The lowlight is the maternity/family leave policies. This is especially disappointing since Forrester often promotes its culture and benefits. The policy is not communicated well and not competitive with the companies Forrester claims to compete with for talent. Leave is partially paid (fine), and bonuses are pro-rated regardless of your performance while goals are not pro-rated (not fine). There is no option to ramp upon return to work, and while some employees are lucky to have managers that offer more flexible arrangements for return to work, it's not company wide. And, while there have been several "listening sessions" (this year and in the past) with EX leadership regarding the policy, no actions have been taken including even minimal improvements to the policy and how it's communicated).

Good benefits for full time employees

30% covered commuting expenses and good medical plan cost

excellent overall benefits day 1

Solid benefits, love the tuition reimbursement, generous vacation time, solid health insurance & other offers (which mostly don't apply to me so don't have too much info on them).

The maternity and paternity leave should be improved. This is a very liberal company and the leave is standard minimum.

Comprehensive package. Above than average.

I was recently asked about Forrester's maternity benefits by a friend at another advisory firm. As I was remembering my experience, I thought it might be helpful to share with people who plan to become parents and are considering a role at Forrester. This was my experience: Forrester gave 12 weeks, provided full pay for 2 of those weeks, 80% for 8 weeks (using short term disability) and then the employee could take the remaining 2 weeks unpaid or use vacation. They did not have an official flex return to work policy, but did let people work with their manager to figure out what would work. Forrester did not relax goals or allow for a ramp up period after maternity. Returning analysts were expected to meet goals for the quarter in which they returned, even if it meant traveling to do so. Forrester did not offer any assistance for people who had to travel. Forrester had multiple mother's rooms, equipped with chair, desk, phone, kitchen with fridge and sink. They were bookable via outlook and you had to use your ID to get in. My two cents - Forrester should have provided a lot more flexiblity with return to work. The pay coverage portion wasn't ideal, but it was ok (at least for me). I wouldn't assume, however, that could work for everyone. For someone that needs 100% of income, there would be a real pressure to come back before 12 weeks, which is not healthy (again, my opinion). They also did not allow for any flexiblity with their goals. Teams were also expected to meet goals even with someone out for maternity, putting more pressure on the manager, as well as the individual to return and ramp up as fast as possible. Can you tell that I'm still fired up about it? It was truly a terrible experience with a very unempethetic management team. Other benefits were pretty good - PTO, 401K, work from home, stock options.

Flexible when unexpected family issues come up.