Painfully political - Anonymous employee Northern Trust Employee Review

2.0
Jun 11, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Job stability - many people have worked all their adult lives at this company.

Cons

No effort is ever good enough. Salaries are lower than other companies, and raises are meted out in pennies. Politics is ridiculously out of control, and the only criteria for advancement. Diversity is a catch phrase, but the reality is a work environment that is highly discriminatory and condescending in Northern's treatment of lower level women, older people. Token diversity is rampant, which is just as insulting as overt racism. The atmosphere is cold, stiff, intolerant, and non-inclusive. Lots of blame throwing. Life long employees are celebrated dead weight who spend more time working the system than adding productive value or ideas. People do not smile much in this region.

Explore other reviews about Northern Trust

5.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work life balance and strong culture

Cons

Easier credits to underwrite at the beginning

3.0
Jul 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Interesting work helping clients grow their business. Promoted several times (it took a while). Most roles worked with many areas at the firm so it provided a holistic view of the organization, which was great.

Cons

Some managers created a difficult work environments. Those partners are no longer at the firm...but neither am I along with some talented people who left or were part of one of the a RIFs.

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