Stumbling toward Success
Pros
Guardian Life enjoys a well deserved reputation as a well capitalized mutual life insurance company offering a wide range of retail and employer-sponsored financial products, such as group health, variable annuities, and 401(k) plans. It has a lean home office staff which, by necessity, requires its associates to wear many 'hats,' engage in activities outside their narrow band of expertise, and continue to grow their skill set.
Cons
Guardian hires new talent from the outside rather than developing and promoting talented associates from within, leading to poor morale and suspicion of new initiatives and change. Raises are low and bonuses are allocated to officers only, so in most instances, associates with long-term records of success face career and compensation stagnation that does not reflect their professional growth in taking on new challenges and developing new skill sets.