Cut throat. The field office is a thing of the past, but was the best environment to work in claims. I have been out of high school for 15 years, but working in a centralized zone it feels like I never left. There are a great many who will step on whomever to get ahead. Choose your work friends carefully and even then be reserved in what you share.
Workforce management has made what used to be a decent job into one where everyone is micromanaged in 15 minute increments. A button on your phone for breaks, bathroom time, training others time, non production time, in the phone time, queue time...
Getting a day off at times is impossible. Monday & Friday are prime, many vacations cut short becuase those days were full, regardless of flight, hotel, or money down already arranged months in advance.
The new claims system offers a lot, but not for the claims handler. What used to take 30 mins tops, now is double and even at times tripple the time. Add to that managment who expects volumes of work. This creates an atmosphere where quantity wins over quality for many.
Advancement and great raise (above the average)? Raises and promotions are not always based on your work or ability to produce quality work or deliver a quality experience to the customer. Too many chiefs and some chiefs should never be in leadership roles. While others are well rounded and fair to all even in discipline and reward.
Do not get me wrong I am thankful for my job. Most days I like my job, but over the 14 years I have been there each year seems to bring changes that are not always based on the lines the company preaches about being family and customer oriented. I hope this changes and have witnessed some in leadership making efforts even with tied hands. I know from others who have left to other insurance companies,that the grass is not always greener.
