All employees are subject to daily, even hourly, mundane and wasteful meetings, conference calls, one-on-ones, side-by-sides, huddles, EOM's - you name it. I've never seen more layers of red tape and pointless human actions than at State Farm. The Farm innovates like it has no competition (like the government) even though the competition has been crushing them for years. Another similarity is the stagnate leadership. The minions all have to "develop" constantly, but sorry middle managers can stay in their cushy seats for decades without changing their roles.
8 replies (most recent on top)
Everytime we have a huddle or tpd I laugh. Yes pay me SF to sit on my a-- and do nothing but tune out a bunch of metric numbers that don't mean jack to me. Let the customers wait till we are done and back to our phones. And I always have a question or to to drag it out longer. But SF is so worried about customer service. This stupidity you have to laugh at.
".And also to make sure your get your mortgage paid off by age 55 as that will help with the stress levels in case of downsizing"
There IS a new reason to pay off the mortgage - the doubled standard tax exemption. Many will no longer itemize, and thus won't deduct mortgage interest paid from taxable income.
But, I hope no one just blindly takes the advice to pay it off. There are pros/cons to paying off vs maintaining the loan. Chiefly: 1) your loan rate (vs investing the money), 2) your need for cash-on-hand, vs using it to pay down the loan.
I was told years ago from some smart people that when you get to mid 50s that is when you at the most risk because of the skills or lack of skills that companies demand .And also to make sure your get your mortgage paid off by age 55 as that will help with the stress levels in case of downsizing. Companies like State Farm change and we as employees have to change and be mobile or be comfortable with other opportunities. I went through a force out 9 years ago in Agency but I am glad it happened or I would be at corporate and be miserable. I hope everyone land on their feet as the SF employees are the best.
PREACH!
The blame for what we're going through now rests squarely on Tipsy and his executive henchmen, and whatever upper level management provided input into his deranged plans.
BS to the last reply. Most managers do have it hard as well so that is correct, but the ones to blame are the numerous section managers, VP's and anyone on up. Screw State Farm, they treated me like crap. No loyalty to your workers breeds the same from employees. Screw you "Bad Neighbor"!
SF is gonna do what SF wants to do... just be ready for whatever happens!
Have you been a middle manager? This is tough. I am disappointed and angry. SF advertises one thing and treats its own differently. But make no mistake, the middle managers and front line leaders are only doing as told. I’m honestly not sure who is pulling the strings and that whomever that is even knows they are doing it. Please don’t point blame on any one class of workers. Whether you are the lowest or the highest if you are honest with yourself you know you have made choices and taken actions that got you to where you are.