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Thank you for your review, we’d like to address some of your comments.
On “seeking a creative position”: Your comment is a bit vague. We believe there is plenty of creativity at FAST. Employees have come up with new ways to deliver training, new technical solutions, and new ways to get and give feedback – just to name a few. This month FAST is rolling out a company-wide initiative in our ‘FASTies Give Back’ program that was conceived by a FASTie. Every day, FASTies suggest ways to enhance our software, and every day many of those enhancements are implemented. Every day, FASTies on projects solve business problems by developing creative solutions that improve the way governments serve their communities. We recognize that we are not like every other company, and that is intentional. Many FASTies claim that the problem-solving they do daily draws out their creativity. We encourage you to pitch your ideas to your supervisor and Get Creative! The opportunity is there for those who take the initiative.
On “flexible work arrangements, work from home”: When comparing companies, it’s important to consider not only the benefits you seek like “work from home”, but also what the companies actually do, and who they do it for. We don’t believe that working in isolation at home is effective for the enterprise systems FAST implements, the clients we serve, and the quality we deliver. Our competitors have failed to achieve our level of success while offering some of the benefits you desire. Enhanced communication, mutual understanding, problem-solving, camaraderie—these are all engendered by being together. Clients often refer to FASTies’ ability to cultivate effective professional relationships as a ‘critical success factor’ on projects. They acknowledge that face-to-face collaboration is an essential ingredient to success. If you have some creative insight on how to provide the perks you desire while still achieving the same success with systems of this magnitude, in this industry, we’d love to hear it.
On “encourage[ing] positive reviews on Glassdoor”: Actually, we encourage truthful, constructive reviews. Reviews are anonymous; no one stands to gain personally by submitting a positive review. Effective feedback identifies an objective and presents ideas for achieving it. General, vague, negativity does not. We also ask that FASTies try to work within the organization to improve it, and not rely solely on external reviews to effect change. Have a good idea? Share it with your manager! Share it with a Partner! Share it with HR! We’re always looking to improve.
On ”cliques”: FAST tries hard to foster a familial and collaborative environment. Most FASTies would attest to that. In fact, the relationships between FASTies often reach beyond the workplace to FASTies’ families. First and foremost, managers need to develop professional and effective working relationships with their teams. In addition, we encourage managers to get to know their teams on a more personal level. However, FAST recognizes that individuals (even managers) are unique and we respect that individuality. How each person relates with others is also distinctive. Relationships should be genuine, not forced. If you feel there are those you would like to get to know, we’d encourage you to reach out. Every relationship is a two-way street.
All in all, FAST explores and implements ways improve benefits and policies for employees and their families lives on a regular basis. We feel we are not only an industry leader in what we do, but are above industry standards regarding paid time off, sabbatical, over time pay, etc. We hope you will take the time to discuss your concerns or suggestions with our HR team, your supervisor or a Partner, and also think about ways you can create a better work environment for yourself.
