BAD I.T. Environment - Stay Away
Pros
Healthy Snacks Insurance is pretty awesomely priced - but that isn't a reason to work at a place LOL Pay is Market Average I would say the UNLIMITED PTO is good - but no one uses it - Sweat Shop
Cons
Open-Seating environment so managers can walk around on power trips and know every time you sneeze. It is a rinky-dink company and a hostile work environment. Everyone is looking (quietly) for other jobs and just want out. Work/Life balance is promoted as being good (start off with unlimited PTO amounts), but you can never use it because it's too busy and frowned upon. The I.T. environment is a joke. They leave out environmental details to get you HIRED in, and could care less if you leave a FullTime job you have been at FOREVER. The 50/50 and 70/30 and 80/20 talks and culture of the company is cool, but it just isn't real-life applicable in every situation. When there are issues that arise (like anywhere),and people get uncomfortable, they use these terms to DANCE around the subjects and point blame at someone else. So yes, it is a cool thing, but it isn't applicable to everything in life - NOT WHEN YOU HAVE HUMAN EMOTIONS that take over and dominate... Which is normal - we are Human, afterall. It is a weird I.T. environment - very uncomfortable and everyone has a different process - nothing is Fine-Tuned and they just have too many people that are "Chiefs" or at least, trying to be a Chief. With the UNLIMITED PTO, the I.T. department paints a picture of it being a RELAXED environment and it's not your "Typical 8-5" job. They make it seem like you are all adults and you have freedom of your own schedules. THIS IS NOT TRUE... Well, it is, they just don’t tell you that it is a sweatshop and you (especially if NEW to the team) will be working LONG hours and given everything they don't want to do. Your way is IRRELEVANT and everyone kind of bumbles around and adhering to NO PROCESS, except each of their own/s. IF you like managers that sits out on the floor with you, frown on you having hobbies and a personal LIFE, constantly, well-then, you might LOVE it here. Co-workers badmouth the other I.T. guys and the TWO different office locations (Las Colinas and West Lake) are very incohesive. IT Departments can be fun in some workplaces, and it can be hostile in others, depending on Management and personalities. The open-seating type of environment makes everyone uncomfortable. The tenured guys have chosen the best seats (by the windows, to the side, in a corner, etc).. Everyone else: well, they are in the open and can be seen by the world. If you scratch your nose, the whole office knows and sees it. LOL… TERRIBLE This place just isn't there yet. DONT DO IT! IF you are looking for a quick job for money or a transition or need to feed your kids/family, then take the job but keep looking and have the goal / know that you are doing it temporarily. But KEEP LOOKING, for the love of God, keep looking. Unless of course, you like being treated like you work at an Entry Level gigg, or you actually are Entry Level, then this place might be okay for you. The management at this company – not really sure. The person/s at the top is more or less a Tyrant/s with BAD TASTE and it’s his/her way or the Highway and that mentality comes all the way down, on every level. I have had really good jobs - I am not here to DOG the place, un-warranted, but it is totally warranted. FURTHERMORE, I want to help other I.T. guys/gals out there that might be considering a move to SOLERA I.T... Like I said, do it for a paycheck at first - but know that you need to keep interviewing. It's just not a good atmosphere. There are great jobs/companies out there and this place TOTALLY is NOT it. If you do join the team for a check (I hope you don't have to do that), stay to yourself and don't tell anyone on the IT team your personal business. Best that way, trust me!
