Pros
I work at the client's location so my daily interactions are with the client and not SDS. As long as the client is happy, SDS management leaves me alone. My work is challenging and enjoyable, and my colleagues at the client location are professional, well led, and pleasant to work with.
Cons
- SDS used to reward employees with generous end-of-year bonuses. That went away in the recession and did not come back. - SDS used to provide an annual cost of living increase in pay. That also went away in the recession and did not come back. I receive top marks on my annual evaluations, and the government contract I'm on has an annual price escalation, but in the last six years I have received only two raises that together total 2.5%. - SDS used to have an annual holiday party and the company owners passed out gift cards with generous amounts on them. Again, that went away and did not come back. - SDS used to have a competitive paid time off (PTO) benefit. Accumulated PTO must be used for any absence from work due to such things as sickness, personal emergencies, and weather closures. This policy is not unusual for companies such as this one, but, unlike other companies, SDS used to allow unlimited carry-over from year to year. This allowed responsible employees to bank some PTO for the unexpected while still being able to plan vacation time. SDS recently cut back not only on the accumulation schedules, but on the maximum carry-over as well. Employees howled so loudly that management finally relented and grandfathered the current employees on their PTO accumulation schedules, but new employees are stuck with the newer, more meager PTO accumulation schedule, and the paltry carry-over maximum still applies to everyone. A few weather days or sick days in January or February can destroy spring break vacation plans. - Health care benefits keep getting trimmed back. I can't really hold this against SDS because most companies are getting hit pretty hard in this area these days. Nevertheless, the health care package where my spouse works is far, far better, so I tag onto that one. SDS used to give me additional compensation for the premiums that I saved them by doing this, but not anymore. - SDS has never offered incentives for continuation training, such as attendance at professional conferences or symposia to keep abreast of the latest developments in your field of expertise. - Although SDS's increasingly tightfisted management causes my personal buying power and benefits to keep dwindling, the contract I started out on still pays well. These "golden handcuffs" will keep me with the company for another few years until I retire, but I would not recommend the company of today to any prospective employees for any reason.