A major issue with this company is that they prioritize hiring managers from within even though they are not professionally educated as managers (quarterly or semi-annual leadership training seminars don't count). This causes a host of issues for employees whose managers are acting out of inexperience and emotional decision-making.
This can really cause a problem because managers decide on what your performance score is. This number is sent to HR to indicate whether you get a salary raise or not, so their evaluation of your performance directly affects your income. You could be doing extremely well, getting flying colors and good reviews on all your work, but if your manager doesn't like you, good luck getting a raise or promotion. Their salary raises are also below national average at only 3%.
Relias' career ladder for any position splits into two possibilities: management or lead/senior "your title goes here." For example, your coworker is given a promotion and is now your team leader. As your new team lead, their evaluation of your performance has a direct impact on what projects you get, how the rest of your team views your contributions, and what your boss thinks you should take home every month. This particular experience happened to me.
Relias also embraces department jumping--they prefer hiring in-company personnel with no experience in a field over outside applicants with actual experience. They are very particular about their hiring process--if you cannot pass the "IQ/aptitude" test (all math questions), you are not considered hire-worthy. What I found disturbing about the IQ/aptitude test itself is that I was told I would be monitored by an HR representative during the test, but that I "wouldn't be watched *wink wink nudge nudge*." From discussing with other applicants, I learned they are told the same thing. How can a test be feasible if cheating is encouraged by HR?
I was hired with a large batch of applicants in one go, but only 2 remained. Relias will tell you you are family, but they have no qualms about laying you off with no notice, locking you out of your work laptop within 5 minutes of telling you so that you have no time to gather materials for a portfolio. All this just to save money on outsourcing talent.
