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Principal Financial Group

Engaged Employer

Principal Financial Group reviews

3.8

72% would recommend to a friend

(2,585 total reviews)
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Deanna Strable

82% approve of CEO

68% positive business outlook

Principal Financial Group has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 2,585 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Principal Financial Group employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Financial Services industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

3K reviews
2.0
Sep 12, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Not too many, since they’re currently forcing employees back into the office. Flexibility was their biggest benefit.

Cons

I witnessed a pattern of behavior over the years where older employees were strategically targeted in order to force them out. In IT, many older female employees were pushed out - throw in a bit of sexism to boot. It’s a common strategy - they’re following a management playbook that has IBM embroiled in at least one lawsuit over age discrimination. It’s a bad look for a retirement services company. They also use their “soft benefits” as justification for underpaying employees. Be aware that they no longer have much to differentiate them from the rest of the corporate pack. There are no substantial raises for the majority of employees. Team reorg and manager churn is an issue. It’s difficult to form a cohesive, functional team when upper management keeps moving the pieces around, trying to find the magic combination where they can get all the work done without hiring more people. Team management should be a valued skill, as opposed to a career stepping stone. I averaged one new leader per year. Don’t tell me that works for anyone.

1.0
Feb 14, 2024

Unhappy

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Vested pension, ability to work remote

Cons

Unrealistic expectations, poor work/life balance, the department screams beyond successful all year but when performance reviews come, staff can’t buy a “successful” rating, and receive “solid” effecting pay increase of <3%, we can perform our jobs well and consistently meet goals, yet are treated as we don’t do enough justifying low pay raises, if at all. The excuse leadership uses give is that we have to spend a lot as a company to maintain our success and competitiveness, whilst ignoring the actual employees that make the wheels turn. Our CEO actually mocked an employee in our town hall that brought up legitimate concerns regarding low pay in an economy where rent and groceries are at an all time high. He said something along the lines of-even if we gave everyone a ten percent raise they’d still be unhappy. So out of touch and just wrong when many of the employees are trying to pull part time jobs to stay afloat. The blatant disregard for the thoroughly thought out question that was asked-when most of the comments on our company survey were regarding low pay and work loads, what cost of living has become and an honest request to senior leadership to consider these rapidly changing influences on our lives and mental health.

1.0
Jan 11, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working from home, flexibility, modern buildings and work spaces, the worker bees, locations and ability to work remotely. Employees are very dedicated.

Cons

Low pay, team politics, old boys network, nepotism(It’s very common for upper management have family working here, and they do get preferential treatment), some people don’t get promotions regardless of the experience and dedication, some managers don’t even make eye contact with the regular Joe unless you play golf. They make you believe this is the best place to work(always on top 100 best places to work not sure how). Some departments are better than others. Do your home work before you apply here). Some of the benefits offered like the dental insurance is really the worst out there. No employee should have to pay for a plan that pays for no claims. On the outside, the place looks phenomenal (state of the art buildings), but inside it stinks rotten because of the bad culture. You have to be blind or build a tough skin to make it here. Lots of people with Assistant Directors, Directors and Vice Presidents titles but they don’t deserve it.

Viewing 4 - 6 of 2,585 Reviews

Glassdoor has 3,075 Principal Financial Group reviews submitted anonymously by Principal Financial Group employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Principal Financial Group is right for you.