Pros
Great Output: Employees pull their own weight and work together to get things done. The Agile/Scrum method helps to streamline processes, reduce impediments on individual work tasks, support open communication, and improve general workflow.
Good Product Quality: Two teams have been created over the last year to support the development of quality products. Standards and Assessments has helped refine curriculum development by creating jobs aides and a process for backwards design. In addition, S&A ensures that the curriculum contains appropriate scaffolding, is free of knowledge gaps, and is pedagogically sound. Quality Assurance has helped improve the quality of courses by creating and using a rubric for scoring four key features: design, content, assessments, and instructional resources. In addition, QA tests the courses at every stage of development to ensure that they are user-friendly, engaging, and bug-free. As a result, the overall number of tickets submitted by customers has been reduced.
Great Internal Service: The company shows appreciation for employees through many formal and informal benefits. For informal benefits, there are two reoccurring company events that help build company culture. Fourth of July and Halloween are paid work days that are full of free food, fun games, and good prizes. In addition to these annual events, it is common to receive paid lunches and other goodies throughout the year. There are also clubs that meet at lunch time so employees can share common interests and build relationships. The clubs cover a variety of topics including board games, video games, movies/tv, health and fitness, and more. For formal benefits, the company puts 3% of an employee’s salary into a 401K every year (after the first year of employment) regardless of the individual employee’s contributions. Upon request, the company provides money for professional development (certifications, conferences, webinars, etc.). In addition, the pay is in line with the industry standard, and there are ample holidays (11 designated and 3 discretionary). For the first three years employees get two weeks of paid vacation, and it increases from there. The work schedule is flexible. Individuals can work from home one day a week, choose to work four 10-hour shifts, come in early/late as needed, and take time off for doctor’s appointments.
Great Creativity: There is a lot of innovation and collaboration with other departments, which leads to cutting edge products. The Agile and Scrum method help ensure consistent communication between teams, and Trello and Harvest are useful tools that keep communication quick and open. As a result, the environment is fertile ground for ideas to blossom.
Good Potential for Personal Growth: The company is old enough that it is stable, and new enough that it is still growing. Departments are expanding and there is potential for career growth.
Cons
High Workload: The workload is heavy, but with the Agile/Scrum method employees can better accomplish goals and complete projects. In addition, open communication allows for creative solutions to meet deadlines.
Fair Noise Levels: Due to the collaborative environment, the workplace can get a bit noisy. However, a good pair of head phones can drown out distractions, and the company will provide the headphones upon request.
High Level of Inactivity: Due to the nature of the job, there is a lot of sitting and little up and down movement. However, the company has provided taller desks with rubber mats to allow individuals the option to stand and get up out of their chairs while working.
