Pros
Great work life balance. Friendly colleagues though there are sharks. If you belong to a department that is barely messed around with, have good bosses and colleagues your life can be good.
Cons
I knew I was in trouble when I found out that most of the people in my department were new. And then I found out my job description didn't quite match reality. But I took it in the chin and told myself that life isn't perfect. Then, a few months in, there was a restructuring and my job description became totally different, not what I signed up for. I left my previous company to go a certain direction. I took this job because it gave me that direction. When my JD changed, my career path took a severe step back, even further than what I was in my old company. The problems with this company in a nutshell:' 1. A lot of politicking between departments. Instead of working together, they seem eager to sabotage each other. It got to a point that I had to keep a lot of my work secret from other departments. As a result there's very little coordination between departments. I found this ridiculous. 2. Management is slow to embrace change. In fact, some actively fight against changing. While our competitors are moving ahead of us, we are still crossing our arms refusing to budge. 3. Constant restructuring. Apparently there's at least one every year. 4. Redundant roles - if you want to join this company be sure that you're part of an essential, cannot-do-without department such as underwriting. If it's an experimental or new role that an insurance company can use freelancers for or is part of some initiative, WATCH OUT. Often, the company would hire someone for a role, only to realise that they don't need that particular role or they have too many people with that role. If you're lucky they will leave you alone or cold storage you. If you are unlucky you'll be told to leave after a few weeks you're brought onboard. 5. Depending on your department, you'll get little or no training in your role. Be prepared to stumble around in the dark for a while. 6. No one wants to claim responsibility. Job requests, follow ups can end up in email chain limbo because most prefer to pass the buck. This is because... 7. Management is very reactionary. Harsh punishments are meted out for minor mistakes. 8. Draconian "performance improvement programmes". I've heard of stories of people being put on this "programme" if they're out of favour with management. Basically they will give you a few months to improve but if not, well, sorry. From the stories I've heard, this seems misused. If your boss doesn't like you, she can actually put you on this programme for flimsy reasons! 7. Endless red tape. You require 10000 signatures and approvals to get anything done. This slows down a lot of things. 8. Micromanagement. Management doesn't trust their employees to do anything without their approval.