Worst place I have ever worked - Anonymous employee Northern Trust Employee Review

1.0
Mar 30, 2012
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are no good things about working for Northern Trust. Worked for many years and have never worked at a place where I could not find a single good quality about the place.

Cons

The absolute worst working enviorment in my career. Do not trust management, HR, or the Human Relations Department they do not protect the employees they will back managment only. Stay clear of the Fund Administration Department. The Head of the Fund Admin change about 2 years ago department went downhill from there. Without a doubt the current head only manages his mangers and is clueless as to what goes on in his department. He stays in his office with his door shut and has no interaction with anyone but managers. The manager I reported to has absolutely no managment skills, and without a doubt a big zero when it comes to people skills. She lacks interaction with her team much like her direct report plops in her chair and does not converse with her team at all. Holds useless meetings not a very well liked individual. They work you like a dog too many hours too little pay. Pay is terrible raises what raises. Bonus are really not existent if you want to call what they give a bonus. My advice stay as far away from Northern Trust as you can no job is better than working at Northern Trust.

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5.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Good work life balance and strong culture

Cons

Easier credits to underwrite at the beginning

2.0
Apr 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people and a good environment. Benefits are good and the work is interesting. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate NT as a 7. But, it’s typical big corporate crap that hands out 2% raises and minimum bonuses during a good year yet spends $360 million this past quarter buying their stock back.

Cons

Constant reminders to do more with less and cut costs and belt tightening while the execs line their pockets and you maybe get a 2% raise. I could see such actions if the firm was doing bad financially, but they aren’t. Record this and record that for many quarters now. And they walk around patting each other on the back like they all did such a great job when in reality, the markets are up so the value of the assets we manage are up. I’m wondering what sort of actions will happen when the market goes south for several quarters. Oh. And the constant state of surveillance here is BS. Tracking to make sure you are here 3 days a week. Keyboard / mouse / PC tracking systems receding your activity. It’s like a 21st century high tech sweatshop in some ways.

2
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