Culture promotes networking more than actual results - Senior Software Developer State Farm Employee Review

4.0
9 May 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

* Managers care, but don't have the power to enact change * Work-life balance is really good * Benefits are pretty good * Bonuses can be nice (if metrics are met) * Starting pay can be higher than other places * Pension currently exists (though can't say for how long) * Can pretty much do nothing all day and nobody even notices

Cons

* Too much red tape and levels of approvals * Too many "cooks in the kitchen" - everyone tries to have their say in how something should be done, regardless of how much they actually know or understand the process * Promotions are done based on who you spend your time schmoozing with instead of your actual results * Dead weight is kept around because company culture refuses to fire anyone* (this review is specific to Systems) for anything less than theft * Raises are pretty much nonexistent, the highest you can achieve on a merit increase is the same as a standard cost of living adjustment at other companies * 401K match is atrocious * Can pretty much do nothing all day and nobody even notices

Explore other reviews about State Farm

5.0
1 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great leadership, great culture, work-life balance

Cons

Very fast-paced work, pay could be higher

3.0
8 Mar 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

(At the time) Fair pay and predictable bonus structure They were pretty good at covering travel expenses and paying them back quickly Diverse workforce & diversity initiatives Fun and funny coworkers Opportunities for growth Again, this was all four years ago and has likely changed

Cons

(At the time and now, according to other comments) Arrogant to a fault Total lack of innovation & willingness to innovate Odd attachment to the company's past (which prevents progress) High number of veterans (20+ years) who are determined to get that retirement money, and therefore, are resistant to change and technology Heavy reliance on command and control management style Poor decision-making that leads to losses of all kinds

1058
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