Pros
- The greatest advantage of working at Velocity Solutions was little to no micro-management (at least in my position). I was given a task and a deadline and was able to work at my own pace while occasionally using Skype for Business to keep my manager posted on the status of my work. People didn't come by every 30 minutes to ask "Is done yet?" - I also enjoyed that the company gave each coworker a key fob and the building security code, meaning you can come in any time you like (to leave early if necessary). There's no standing outside waiting for someone to open the building. Such a small gesture speaks volumes about how the company trusts its employees. - Speaking of the hours, work is from 9am – 5:30pm. The Board of Directors have a good philosophy of 8 hours being enough to complete a day of work. If you're working over 8 hours, you either have too much work or you're not being as efficient as possible. - As a business that started in North Carolina, a good percentage of the employees are a pleasure to work with. It must be the Southern hospitality. - The company is nice in providing office supplies such as snacks and facial tissue. They are also open to suggestions and will often purchase any recommended items (within reason). - It's not one of those companies that overworks you and where requesting vacation time is like pulling teeth. - The company nominates an Employee of the Month each month and gives the lucky employee a $1,000 check. They also offer a Christmas bonus and often provide small "Thank you" perks such as a pair of movie tickets on Employee Appreciation Day.
Cons
- The biggest con with Velocity Solutions is that once you realize this company is selling snake oil solutions to banks and credit unions to then offer to their consumers, you will feel unethical, nauseous, and it will drive you to look for a better job. Big banks will offer someone $200 for opening a checking account. This company's "innovative solution" is offering the consumer points they can exchange for a 6-Volt Screwdriver purchased from Walmart or Jessica Simpson Gold Sunglasses (retail value: $20). Another way the bank/credit union consumer can obtain such tacky gifts is by paying $14.99 a month for the platinum card Velocity sells to its clients. The consumer will then have to make $10,000.00 worth of purchases and remember to use their signature instead of their PIN in order to acquire the 500 points needed to purchase a $20 pair of aviator glasses. Velocity Solutions' new predatory small dollar lending platform is also a joke. - The company does compensate for unused time off. However, if you decide to work at Velocity Solutions or are currently working there and regret your decision, know that the company WILL NOT pay you for any unused vacation once you give your notice. You can resign on December 31st with a month of vacation and the company will spit in your face as you go your separate ways. Have vacation time and are thinking of leaving the company? Use your vacation time before you leave. I cannot stress this enough!!! - There are no growth opportunities in this company whatsoever. You'll either be lucky to get hired on as an executive, sales, or a managerial job. Otherwise, you will not be paid according to your worth and will make way below your market's median salary with a 3% raise added ever year. The company being plagued with long-timers also creates a glass ceiling for any new employees. - Speaking of long-timers, there is definitely an "us" (the long-time Velocity employees) and "them" (new people to the company) culture. - Eventually, after years of dedication and loyalty, the company will tell you "we're paying you as much as we're going to pay you" and will just stop giving you a raise. Sadly, they can get away with this because a majority of their employees work in a city of about 100,000 people and limited job opportunities. Meanwhile, managers will make 85K+ to sit on the phone and go to meetings all day and there's always commission available for the sales people who keep making those 6 or 7-figure deals. - As a financial company, it's dumbfounding what this company spends money on. They'll cheapen their products by outsourcing technological work to Vietnam or will provide clients with inexpensive lousy looking advertising. However, they'll pay to rent out a Ritz-Carlton for a few days to rub elbows with potential clients. They also underpay a lot of their staff (e.g., paying an expert in one's profession with 5+ years of experience the same as someone in accounts payable who is still in college). Yet they magically have money to help relocate their favorite employees to the Florida office. - In regards to the big events Velocity puts on, only the elite employees (the ones honored enough to be on the company's website) are invited to drink alcohol, eat expensive food, and laugh at awful jokes told by potential clients. Meanwhile, the grunts are left to keep operations running in the North Carolina and Florida offices. - The company lacks diversity as the executive leadership consists of old white men and it doesn't seem until recently that they started hiring women on as part of the sales team. If you're a minority, it may be hard to get hired on here. - I understand how much work time can be lost by employees surfing the internet. However, what is the standard for one should be the standard for all. Don't block 90% of the internet for almost all your staff, but the CEO can surf Amazon.com or purchase wine online during company hours.