Pros
Most are given offices and not cubicles (Baltimore office) Can afford good social events (happy hours, catered lunches, open bars) Slightly above industry standard salaries Company gym at Baltimore office Good amenities (free endless soda, coffee) Offices are not dilapidated like some federal government buildings Location – easy access to 695 and 95, close to BWI airport Most people are friendly 401(k) with company contribution (not much), health care (with HSA option) Company paid short term disability insurance Occasionally given opportunity to work on different projects not in your area of expertise Company pays for professional development – PE tests, subscriptions to magazines, continuing education courses, grad school (if you stay with the company for 4 years) Well resourced- good business support staff, laboratory
Cons
The work life balance could be a lot better. There are only 7 holidays the company recognizes, and you are given 2 floater holidays. The federal government has at least 10 per year. I also thought that the vacation accrual schedule was a bit stingy, where in the first 3 years you only have 2 weeks of vacation (10 days) per year, where as I believe with the federal government you get 3 weeks within the first year of service. After you reach 3 weeks of vacation (on your 3rd year), you have to wait ANOTHER 15 YEARS before you get to 4 weeks of vacation. Madness! But what gets me most is that you are almost never allowed to work from home. This sort of practice is really discouraging to parents and people who favor work life balance over salary. I would also suggest that this company just merge sick leave with vacation, because if you are not sick you lose all those days, and if you are sick you would use vacation if you go over your allotment. I was not affected by this problem, but others complained that due to the numerous mergers and acquisitions, it was not easy to tell when others in the company (in other offices, or maybe even the same office) were bidding on the same project you were. The merging strategy had not quite flattened out those kinks. There were your typical problems with a company that grows very quickly. Not in a good(safe) area with good food choices (for Baltimore office), although the Walmart across the street was pretty convienient
