Pros
Good benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision coverage). Fully paid Bus pass (for commuting on Metro and Sound Transit). Option to buy company stock at a slight discount through ESPP. Usually a 40 hour work week (some projects may require overtime and weekend work). Good place for fresh graduates/entry level employees.
Cons
No opportunity for growth for most employees. No system of annual raises. Employees can go for years without receiving a raise. Very uptight environment where fresh ideas and out of the box thinking are not welcomed. If you are obedient and can follow orders and do as you are told to do, you will be OK. Formal dress code - and regular reminders and memo's on what not to wear. Endless memos and communication on what not to do and how to behave - from use of public areas and restrooms to how your desk should be organized. Very autocratic management with enormous egos and a "my way or the highway" attitude. No obvious effort/attempt to motivate employees. No HR department. All issues to be reported to your manager, and if you have an issue with your manager you have no objective, unbiased 3rd party to help employees with any personal/personnel issue resolution. IT/IS employees are not allowed to eat at their desk. All employees (over 300+ employees) must eat in a room designated as a "Cafeteria" that seats less than 100 employees.