Pros
Local management is respectful. Better than being unemployed.
Cons
Serco is proud of its ability to compete for contracts by finding new ways to reduce costs of operation, but this is done strictly on the backs of its lower employees. I have worked at this company for three years and I make less than the day that I started and I have fewer benefits (by benefits I mean perks, not health benefits). I have been given increasing responsibility over the years and have always exceeded the quotas while making few errors. How could I make less? Because while my base pay has increased by almost 3% (this was required by contract and was not Serco's way of appreciating my 3 yrs), Serco successfully cut the shift differential for working the late shift by 2/3 which more than countered the base pay raise I was given. I receive only two weeks vacation but am required to use my vacation time any time the facility is closed due to inclement weather, or when we are let out an hour early before holidays. On average we have 2-5 days per yr closed due to weather. Serco could provide us with 2-3 days extra vacation to compensate, but they choose not to. I now have to cancel plans for trips in the spring in anticipation of snow days which are beyond my control and are decided by government employees who do not have to use vacation for poor weather days. Employees at our company will also be begging NOT to be let out early the day before Christmas weekend just so that we can keep what precious few vacation hours we have. Furthermore, when drastic changes are being made to our vacation time or wages, Mgt chooses to let rumors swirl for several hours, and often days before making the time to address its employees. When my wages were lowered due to the reason stated above, I was told mgt would not meet with me and to go home and check my email. I arrived home friday night to find no email and had to wait until the middle of the following week (a week after my pay changes had taken effect) to receive written or verbal confirmation of the changes. When meetings are held by upper mgt, the officials are quick to make employees feel as though any expression of concern or frustration could cost them their job. I frequently here statements such as "why don't we talk in my office after the meeting" or "well you can always find another job" after a person has asked a legitimate intelligent question in a polite tone. Morale is always low and continues to get lower. All of the best workers are actively searching for new jobs. Serco requires that its employees act like and be treated like robots. No compassion, no questions, no appreciation for anyone but upper mgt.
