I am a currently an engineer that has been working at Fiserv for over 15 years remotely. Today I was given an ultimatum to either chose an office or I’d no longer be employed. The two options I have are BH or Alpharetta. Which office is better in terms of culture, commute time, parking, amenities, etc??
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Consider finding a new job and take your package. Both areas you pay state taxes, you will need to find a new home and the cost in the those two areas are really high. The culture at fiserv is stressful and other jobs can offer you a better opportunity especially with your history
I'd need the following before I moved for any company: (1) no attachments to or particular affection for where I currently live (2) solid trust and enjoyment in the company (3) zero good prospects locally and (4) bonus: an interest in moving to the new location.
If those first three aren't present, I suggest rethinking the matter entirely.
As a side note, does anyone willingly and enthusiastically move to NJ?
Relocating for this sh------n of a company would be a terrible decision. Like others have said, take the buyout and run. If you're worried about your next role, take a chunk of your buyout and hire a career coach to help you find a new role at a different company.
I worked in the Alpharetta office for 6 years and loved the campus and surrounding area. I've only heard negative feedback on the BH office from colleagues and on this page. If you decide to stay with Fiserv, you're much better off in Alpharetta.
THAT SAID, do NOT relocate for this company. They forced a colleague to relocate from California to Alpharetta and then laid him off less than a year later.
This company has proven itself to be untrustworthy over and over again which is the main reason I'd never relocate for them. Do what you need to do but seriously consider working elsewhere.
Don't come to BH, we are genuinely full. Parking issues aside, there are lines in the bathrooms and people migrating around looking for desks to sit at every day, and you'll just be joining them. Also the food su-ks
Any other remotes recently told to move? We have several remotes on our team and no one told us.
New York City is great; New Jersey blows goats…
Would you rather live in Northern NJ or metro-Atlanta. Traffic is awful in both locations. BH if you're not on site by 7:55 you have to park at least 1/2 mile away and shuttle or walk. Once you're on campus you're stuck.. really nothing walkable except a hotel Starbucks (although some retail coming). BH has the newer layout - smaller desks and more bodies in same space. But I suggest focusing on which location is better for your lifestyle.
I was an IT malware contract worker in the Alpharetta office and it was a joy in many respects - that I lived 15 min away helped alot too. Atlanta traffic is legendary bad so watch your commute. Inside the building was great with a Starbucks as noted and a fine cafeteria. My manager loved that. Recommend it highly
Don’t do the alpharetta or the south. not the sharpest folks around here and since your are an engineer, I’d highly suggest BH. The guys in south have nothing to talk about except college football so limited to those types of IQs. Not trying to be offensive but the NE is a bit more dynamic.
Read your relocation package carefully. Don’t be afraid to push back on some of the language. Tell them to start the 2 year clock when you get the money, not when you arrive in office.
Also document when you’re off for house hunting and moving. You don’t want them to count it against you.
I've never been to BH, but here's the rundown of Alpharetta:
- Office located within 30 mins of some great zip codes, the city and nature. Alpharetta is a great community with great mix of location, dining, greenery, proximity to entertainment, etc,
- Parking is sufficient, but if you arrive the office after 7:30-ish am, be prepared for a bit of a walk if you park outside of the 3-story parking garage. Lately, I've been parking on the top level of the parking garage, as they always have spots on the top level and it has an elevator
- The people are friendly, we have a Starbucks and onsite cafeteria that has improved greatly over the past year. You can order certain lunch items such as deli sandwiches, burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc via QR code and pick up or select from the Indian food station or station set up by another local restaurant. I have to hand it to the food situation in Alpharetta, they're clearly making an effort to offer better options. The question is, why all of a sudden? I theorize it's to keep us in the building with that God forsaken 9 hour in office mandate. Then, there's the matter of revenue generation. There's also a fairly decent salad bar. And you can order breakfast in the mornings. They have an omelette station which is pretty decent. All-in-all, I appreciate the effort.... If you don't want the cafeteria food, there are lots of great restaurant options to either visit in person or have UberEats or DoorDashed or InstaCarted to you. There's a rack by the main entrance where they can drop off your delivery.
- IDK about other floors, but on my floor, they've desegregated (for lack of a better term) the teams. Now instead of everyone on X team sitting together, we now sit amongst people my department frequently collaborates with. People whom I'd been emailing about projects for the past year now sit across from me. Didn't even realize they worked in the Alpharetta office.
Overall, I personally like the folks I've encountered. The company policies and their inability to leave well enough alone pi---s me off, but the people I work with their helps me forget all that. They make it worthwhile.
@bd+1jpr27j56 which one is the chicken po-p and which rancid lamb kabobs?
This is like a choice between eating a bowl of chicken po-p or rancid lamb kabobs.
You have no assurance of continued employment if you move. You could disrupt your life and your family to move and still end up unemployed after the next staff reduction. If you relocate, be sure that you like the city enough to want to live there regardless of your employer. Otherwise, don’t go. When given a similar choice, I didn't hesitate. I took the severance.
Since you are an engineer, probably Alpharetta for sure bc you probably stay indoors or alone. NYC area has better nightlife and all.. but more for marketing and sales folks and more social.
Imagine moving for this company...
Don't do it. Run.
Alpharetta. If things don't work out w Fiserv, plenty of other Fintech companies in the hood. https://fintechatlanta.org/
What state are you in?
Alpharetta. Cheaper cost of living.
Alpharetta people are much nicer as BH is very rude people in northeast.
No longer being employed at Fiserv.
Take the severance and find a new gig.
BH is nothing short of a nightmare. No amenities, cr-ppy parking, cr-ppy cafeteria with ridiculous prices and everything is incredibly slow
What division are you in? It might make a difference in your best choice
Let me add that you are a fool to relocate for either
Alpharetta. Read some of the posts on here regarding BH parking
Alpharetta