Retention: little interest, company does not offer bonuses, promotions, or cost of living increases; occasional 1-3% merit raises available once a year; one raise at 3 years; no increase in PTO between 3-10 years Benefits: Healthcare costs are very high for families/ dependents, no paid parental leave Communication: hesitancy to commit to policies in writing, difficult to communicate with management and CEO Growth: no opportunities for career advancement; few transferable skills developed Gender equity: working to improve pay transparency, history of underpaying qualified scientists who lack negotiation skills Work culture: morale suffers from pay inequities, especially between federal and contractor staff Scientific rigor: do not provide incentives for professional development or certifications; vacant positions are not filled quickly; do not offer salaries that would attract the most qualified personnel Compensation: generally scientists are under-compensated, with several Master's and PhD level analysts struggling to make ends meet