Working at Nationwide Insurance Company — Reviews by Employees

I think my most upsetting part of working for NW is the diversity policy. I have seen, time and time again, an African American promoted to a job when their qualifications are extremely below anyone else in the office. Recently, there was a young man who had very poor quality, had been caught sleeping at his desk, has a I-don't-care-about-my-job attitude and he was promoted over many, many other candidates who had an exemplary work record. It is very evident that our office is being run by an African American culture..even to the point that they have off site meetings to discuss who might be the next one that could be promoted. Personally, I don't care what color you are...but your work record should be the driving force on your rise in the company, not the color of your skin. Nationwide has really turned into a company I am not proud to be associated with. When people ask me where I work, I just say, "I'm in insurance". Very sad as I have worked here many years and it didn't used to be this way! Now it's all about getting that paycheck so I put on my headphones, do my job, and try not to get involved in all the politics. Can't wait for retirement!

You will never be treated 'fairly' by HR. If you are being mistreated or harassed, you'll be making waves by saying a peep. All going to HR does is flag yourself as someone who needs to be swimming with the fishies, not helped out. Try it. Go to HR and let them know that there is anything slightly out of the desired norm and watch how fast you get on their radar and drummed out of town.

Human Resources typically oversees the sham of 'performance reviews' which try to bottle useful feedback into stilted low-utility meetings. In healthy organizations these systems actually work counter to healthy communication. They stifle feedback on areas for improvement, by channelling communication into a disciplinarian session instead of food for thought and growth.

HR staff feel the need to put a ‘friendly face’ on all interactions, empathizing and finding common ground with employee concerns. However, they do not work with other employees on a regular basis, so they’re empathetic strangers. It rings false, and no bond can be established on this basis.

Human Resources always sides with corporate interests. If there’s a legal concern, such as a legitimate harassment situation, Human Resources will act as a mock support system for the involved parties, but ultimately act to protect the organization from perceived threats which may never be released at the expense of providing a healing resolution for anyone. It can be even worse, where the interests of the employee are simply snubbed entirely for bureaucratic reasons. Human Resources claims to be the advocate of employees, wanting to nourish and invest in them, but they have no structural accountability to the employees, so it’s all a sham.

I’ve never had a positive interaction with Human Resources. In short HR is symptomatic of what is unhealthy in American business culture. If you ask me how best to change Nationwide to a positive class leading organization, then re-organize the entire HR department and especially replace the top 5 persons in charge of HR.

Lets use this thread to sound off about HR. Please place your comments below highlighting your experiences. Have you ever had a pleasant experience with HR?

First, let me say I have to watch what I say as "They are watching". I can't even say what dept. I am in or where I am located as they will know who I am. I to am watching this site. I agree with all of the frustrated people out there. This company does not care about its employees, Managers, Directors, AVP's are only concerned about themselves. On Your Side, is a joke! Living the Values, is a joke! Have these people no shame?

I used to believe "What comes around, goes around" but not anymore. All one can do is keep your mouth shut, don't look at anyone, don't ask any questions, and by all means, don't tell them anything if it is not positive.
This company, Nationwide Agribusiness, likes to make knee jerk reaction decisions and tells everyone that "this is the way is it going forward". No common sense, and as far as communication goes, you find out after the fact and it usually is from another coworker and even agents. Yet since we are the front line and meet the customer, we should know what is going on and it is our job to find out on our own. No respect for the employees, I don't think that upper management knows what values are, let alone living them.
Benifits, what benefits. I have more money taken out of my salary annually for the co. car, health programs, and rising Health care cost, that with my raise, I have taken a salary cut every year for the last 4 years. "That is just the way it is"!


As for this company going under, that will never happen, they have Farmland still. How many of you know that? Nationwide dumps all of its debt in this company and then declares Bankruptcy......over and over and over. That's right not once but 3 times that I am aware of. Hows that for fiscal responsibility.

I can only hope that one day this company will get what it has coming to them.
I can only take comfort in knowing that are employees out there like me and I wish you all the best, maybe someone, somewhere will find the key to unlocking management and they will get what they whats coming to them and maybe, just maybe they to will be treated like we are and they can feel our pain.
Good luck to all of you,,,,,,,,,,I will keep watching.

I just read the reverse discrimination posting. Good for you!! I am on the opposite side of the spectrum; hispanic, college educated and very experienced. I have been passed up numerous times, each for a white male with less experience, less education but well connected. I often wondered what the hell was all the diversity training was for? Also, not to say that I deserve anything at all, simply, my observation of those chosen, whom not only do I know, I also know the dismal results that they have.
Home office, HR, the department of ethics and OAR, all in my view, a joke. They do phone investigation, tell you anything to make you feel at fault and that they found no wrong. I think that it is just a matter of time before the wall comes crumbling down. As sad as it may be, the fat cats will have the fat wallets and can weather the storm while the front line associates, working pay check to pay check will be left wondering what went wrong.
I worked through the Nationwide era in the West Coast and over the years have seen the Allied group take over. Here is food for thought; Nationwide business has shifted all high risk areas to Allied. Is this a sign of times to come or a simple position for seperation if needed. How about the remaining units, Titan, Scottsdale? Is it better to have them remain as seperate entities?
Think about it for a second. What if a major CAT would hit? Can Nationwide weather it; yes, as it's own entity.
I am hoping that the Allied people running this company have the financial sense to make solid decisions for the entire company. That the legal deparment can connect HR and tell them, enough it enough. I think that a few lawsuits are brewing and that Babaloo is on to something. Whether it is reverse discrimination or protected class discrimination, way too many hiring decisions are made based on friendships. The same goes true for work assignments, being called on the carpet and all other matters. It is not about the color of your skin, but who you know.
I don't wish a class action lawsuit upon the company that provides me food on the table, but if it is what it takes to put an end to the favortisim treatment, than so be it. I hope that they contact me for a disposition. I will keep looking at this website for clues.

Off and on for the last few months I have started reviewing political contributions made by Nationwide Insurance and on behalf of Nationwide Insurance.. All information is public information and can be found on the Internet. Makes you scratch your head and really wonder if individuals and the company are getting much of a return on the donations relative to insurance legislation in the different states. Sort of like returns on Nascar and Nationwide Tour all depends on how you spin it.

Agents unite and file class action suit.

Some think the review citing the "all expense paid trip" to San Diego for a 43rd place finish was a joke. Look on the Inside page for 2/27/10. It's no joke. Why should the policyholders pay for these kind of junkets to feed egos?

"Nationally", the leadership of your team is known within the company to have failed elsewhere. But instead of replacing them, they are kept lying around like an old yard sale sign. Their job preservation skills are in high gear right now. It is surprising to me that failing senior leadership is always moved to another business unit rather than terminated. If the front line employee screws up, they have no problem firing us. Why do you think she still owns a home in NY? (Don't sell it, you may need it)

She is in the process of destroying what used to be one of the best SIU organizations in the business. At least she and her buddy will have left an indelible impression on the organization.

It is real clear the Engagement Survey isn't about wanting true perceptions. They don't want honest feedback and will not accept they need to improve. It is all about the employee having to accept things for the way it is. Even when employees "give" great scores- but try to provide bottom up feedback- it better be positive or revenge ensues.

Our AVP is a bit goofy. He appears to be a puppet. He walks around aloof and acts very fake when talking to associates. He needs to trim his eyebrows. He's ok overall just strange. The managers don't really care about anything. The place just isn't the same as it used to be; its just weird now. There used to be some fun and enthusiastic people and leaders here. We used to have fun and felt much more motivated. Now everyone just complains about the company.