management bias towards their friends - Finance Manager Symetra Employee Review

2.0
Aug 13, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good group of hardworking folks at the bottom tier; standard benefits package; good downtown location in Bellevue;

Cons

you get promoted super fast if you have the right connections to upper mgmt. For example, in order to promote an inexperienced manager with connection to become a finance director, they forced out a knowledgeable director. There are no more diversity in the management group. They are now 100% white female only. If you are a pretty blonde female, you will do very well in the Finance org. If you are not, you are better off working for another company. Also, the only way that you will get a raise here is when you submit your two-weeks notice - that's when they went into panic mode & try to match what your new company pays you.

Explore other reviews about Symetra

5.0
May 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture, people, pay and benefits. Remote work is awesome.

Cons

Can't think of anything right now

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Symetra Response
2w
From Dena Ashlock, Actuarial: Thank you for the kind words and for your years with Symetra! We're glad the culture, benefits, and flexibility have made it a great place to work. We hope to keep earning that review for years to come!
5.0
Apr 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great opportunities here to become a true student of the business. Flexibility in work location, because it's really and truly a fully remote first workplace. Opportunity to develop and nurture an effective sales system, bring value and partner for a lifetime with financial professionals to help grow businesses, and protect clients' and families' futures. Guidance and employee engagement in future-proofing the business, leadership opportunities, and opportunities for community impact that you can measure both with hard data and with emotional impact on the team. I'm genuinely glad to get up and go to work every morning. I'm grateful for the opportunity, and the confidence given to us to be driven and self-sufficient professionals.

Cons

Training is getting exponentially better, and structure is fomenting, but still isn't where it should be, by far. Sales teams bolster each other, but there's a perception of "performance punishment" that affects morale. The company wants to be a top ten carrier, but feels like it's lacking direction in other divisions, and our operational growing pains are evident to advisors.

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Symetra Response
2mo
From Erin Woltz, VP Talent Management and Change Leadership: Thank you for this thoughtful feedback and for the genuine enthusiasm you bring to your work here! It's meaningful to hear that you find purpose in partnering with financial professionals and contributing to something larger. Appreciate you highlighting your concerns; these are the kinds of observations that help us identify where our growth is creating friction. We encourage you to continue sharing that perspective with your manager and through our internal feedback channels. Voices like yours are part of how we get to where we want to be.
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