Working at Travelers Insurance — Reviews by Employees

I had worked here for 14yrs before I had enough and left to work for a competitor. Although a small company the culture is so positive I wish I had left sooner. My background is not claims but business support operations/IT. I was part of the leadership team for a few years and it was pretty good until they put a different VP in place. I use to watch my team closely. If a worker was to be in at 8am-5pm and they came in at 8:03 I would note that. If I noticed they left for the day at 4:45 I would note that. If I noticed they haven't been at their desk for a long time I'd note that. Why? It was something the leadership team wanted to note to figure out who was a true worker. It was just kinda known we'd do this. Micro manage was big as we needed to produce results. Anyone that was not at full capacity with work would be flagged and noted "under the table". I could go on but I think most of you know how leadership works here. I was asked to take on a new position because of a reorg. It was known if I didn't I'd probably be laid off because they were going through a RIF/Staff counts. So I took on the new position and wasn't happy. Hence why I am no longer there thanks to a contact in another company that got me in. It's the best thing that happened to me! But I feel all your pain. The company has changed drastically in the past 3 years. It's not the same company and it's become more of who can outwit who and play dirty if you have to. The pay was great for me but will admit if you are non-exempt you will be at a dead end and need to move to an exepmt status to get ahead. It's cut throat. Don't even get me on merit increases and how I use to have to justify why my good workers deserved it. I worked with a lot of good people but management changed and morale got low. Again I feel for you. If you stuck here make the most of it. The economy has got to get better. There is no such thing as a lifer at Travelers today. I can only say being at this new company opened my eyes.

This place is a horrible work environment. Nobody should have to work here. Claims as an organization is falling apart. Management looks to target, blame and then dump. If you take on additional work or volunteer chances are you will get blamed for something that doesn't even involve you. Don't know if I seen anyone actually handle claims anymore. Everyone is just trying to get by. Unrealistic workload. So many hard workers, nobody gets acknowledged or recognized. Management will take credit for everything that goes well and report to senior management. Anything that goes wrong a specific employee is targeted so they can blame it on one person. Nobody can be successful here in my opinion. Even managers are just trying to keep their head above water. Problems are spreading like a virus throughout this organization. No department is immune.

The problem with Travelers is everyone tries to please the person above them. No one ever says no so the workload becomes so unrealistic. They don't say no because of fear. They know they can't handle it but they will take it and when it can't be done the solution is to find someone to target.

This place is unbelievable... bottomline I am staying till my time is up and then I am on the way out to another company. Not worth being here if their is no opportunity for advancement and when there is it only brings in more horrors and problems.

Expenses are out of control as well travelers solution is...spend ... spend ... spend...and waste.....waste...waste... but don't hire enough employees to get the job done.

Everyone is just a number at Travelers. Document everything from your supervisor! Band together if you can, but trust no one.

Do whatever you can do to get out! The travelers ship is still sailing, but no one is at the helm and we are heading for an iceberg! Abandon ship! Abandon ship!

Words cannot describe what this company (and new upper management) puts their claim employees through. Threat of losing a job is their way of motivating their employees to perform better. They overload you with work (140% to capacity) and then think they are doing you a favor by allowing you overtime after you have begged and documented why the overtime is necessary. We are all working overtime (Sunday - Saturday and evenings) without logging in the time just to be able to keep up with the work and keep our jobs until the economy gets better.

California claims management are you listening? We are in California and we are working overtime without pay because we are afraid of losing our jobs. You are telling us to work 140% to capacity but we have to beg to get our overtime approved. You fired people from a year ago, have not replaced them, and you expect us to cover the extra work. We are working overtime without pay but we are still not able to meet the metrics due to the excessive workload. To reward us you have put a majority of us on corrective written warning. You IDIOTS, please do the math. Is it really necessary to put that much stress on your employees or do you think playing mind games with your employees is a joke.

People in claims can't sleep nights just thinking of what they have to wake up to the following morning. New assignments come in after hours and weekends and we have to make our 8 hour contacts or we will not be able to meet our metrics...again no overtime...and don't forget the 45 day written warning!

Right now we have so many job postings but it will probably be another year or two before they are filled. That is how long it took to replace the people who have left or fired. Who will cover the extra work until the positions are filled?

This is the most incompetent and poorly managed start up company I have ever worked for. If you want to work for this company be sure that you are ready to take on an overload of stress, failure, and give up your work/life balance. If you want to move up into management, this is not a company you want to learn from. They have no respect for their employees, no people skills, do not care about anyone else but themselves, and unfortunately, they don't know much about claims either.

I agree with with previous comment, once the job market gets better it will be goodbye to Travelers. Actually, a lot are already leaving without a job lined up because...in the end it is not worth it.

Folks read the reviews for just about any Property and Casualty Company and you will see that this industry is a difficult one to work for. Claims is simply not the noble profession it was 15 years ago.

That being said, Travelers is the worst that I have worked for. As a former manager for this company I would say that Travelers has a iInsatiable appetite for firing people. When I finally got tired of performance managing people for stupid goals that did not really have any value, I then became the target. I will say that in my time at Travelers I did not see any age discrimination. We fired anyone! A manager who was not regulary "performance managing" was viewed as weak. I got out before they got to me. Although I knew they were after me.

Right now,the company is doing fine as the job market is so bad. When it turns, watch out, Travelers will see mass turnover. People are so unhappy in just about any office that I traveled too. When I anounced my resignation, I was amazed by the amount of people who emailed, called or came by my office to ask how I got out. People are desperate to get out of the "place". Everybody from FPLM's to file clearks want out.

The most senior manager in the field had a little tale he would talk about when he visited offices. He would say "if you had a life boat and could only save 5 people from your 6 person team, who would you not allow on the boat." This was the person who needed to be fired. This really set the tone for Travelers is today. Fire or be fired.

It's a difficult job market right now, but if you have any other options, don't work at Travelers. If you work there now, watch your back. Document your every move. Remember, nobody, and I mean nobody is willing to stand up for you should you make a mistake. Everyone is so affraid for their own job they will gladly throw you under the bus to make themselves look good. I have seen really good employees at Travelers fired because their manager was not willing to support them for some dumb decision they made.

Finally, the interview process is so redicoulous it is almost funny. Do you wonder why so many jobs are available at Travelers? People who have not done the job in 20 + years have the final say on who gets a job.

This is a company that wants you to complete 60 hours of work in 40 hours. The work load is not realistic. The standard set by their quality management unit is ridiculous and Travelers even gives you assignment while your on vacation. It is a company that punishes you for taking vacation . Upper manage is out of touch with the employees in the field. The only thing that can save the employees is a UNION. They man date training without warning. The rules change without warning then your penalized after the fact. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made coming to this company. Should have stayed with the last company I worked for. It was a little less money but far better then Travelers. I would not recommend to anyone. I have heard Travelers uses their investigation branch to intimidate customers. They want your premiums but when its time to pay out they resist. Very Poor customer service. Once management targets someone they don't like your gone. I have seen them force older employees out. Managements policy is to make things so difficult for a person targeted they leave. All the they care about is number. This company puts it's employees and customers last. Company rates are too high.

I am finally posting here. I have worked my butt off for my unit and have been told all year I am a huge help, they couldn't have done it without me, I am beyond a hard worker and keep it up, have metrics and proof in the pudding, I saved a project from nearly failing, extreamly efficient, blah blah. I had my review with my manager and got an insult of a merit increase. I'm talking less than 4 figures. No bonus. This manager of mine has been in place for 1 year. She said all these good things throughout the year yet on my review had a lot of "improvements". I wrote my part on it and she wrote her parts. I got a 3's yet the clown next to me who listens to his radio all day long and makes mistakes and asks me questions got all 3's. Who knows maybe got a big increase since he use to work for this manager a few years ago. They are good friends. He had to gloat he got a 3 yet he feels he is a 2. Wow. He should have kept his mouth shut.

Travelers does not promote a culture of pay for performance. I'm not the only one on the floor that thinks this.

I was told it is because of the economy and recession. That they laid off 20 people last year and I'm lucky I wasn't effected. BS. Those managers and directors and VP got their share I a
sure.

Today I have begun to look for a job elsewhere. My revamped resume is ready. I hope I can get out. 6 years wasted. Well it was good in the beginning but it has gone south these past 3 yrs.

I was told by others not to come to this site or even look a it. Rumor is managers or HR are watching and trying to get clues who we might be. I don't care anymore. Besides I'm not doing anything wrong. Boo on Travelers.

That place is worse than HighSchool.... gossip gossip gossip everyday a new story on someone. You can't trust your own boss as they do what every they can to cover there own butt. I hate working for a boss that I don't like and it felt good finally telling my boss in person that it is hard working someone you don't LIKE..... They make changes everyday and alot of changes are not even realistic. They set you up to FAIL.

I went on an interview recently for a Senior Business Analyst position in their Business Insurance area. I also went on an interview for The Hartford for the same position. I'm leaning towards The Hartford and hoping they are going to call me back this week. My original reason was location. I hate driving into the city as The Hartford is located in a nice and quiet rural town. I've been doing research on Travelers and google led me here. I don't know what to say. I was always told Travelers never lays off but this site begs to differ on that. The Hartford went through some really bad times but I heard they are re-building hence my I am interested. There is a sign on bonus of $4k that is also enticing but I still wanted to give Travelers a shot. The interview went really good even though the 2 managers told me their organization is undergoing a lot of changes right now. Something about splitting the support area and the business area. I would be apart of the business area. But reading all this stuff here I have a lot more questions. These 2 managers didn't even give me a business card or their emails so that I could send them a thank you note! I am supposed to hear back from them today and The Hartford today as well so we'll see.

I am not going in auto/home claims or whatever so I feel better about it but I am going into a system type role . Does anyone out there work as a business analyst? If so please express your HONEST opinion. I have heard Travelers does not pay well but its a secure place to work. They also do not have flex time? And no jeans on Fridays? I know those things are trivial but just curious. Travelers has a reputation of being old fashioned and old school in their work ethics so I just wanted to confirm that. Other companies out there seem a lot more accommodating to their workers. But all this talk about not being recognized, low pay, no increases, etc turns me off. Please post some real work experiences that are NOT IN CLAIMS please. Thank you.

This office is in complete chaos and disaray, especially the property department and it is now time for an internal investigation. Everyone in the building knows who is responsible for ALL the failures, disgruntled employees, terminations, resignations, and hatred that is in this environment . Will everyone be manged out, made to quit, or be fired? In 2009 the property department alone has lost its line lead, 4 unit managers, and 12 outside adjusters (with a staff of 19). The replacements for these management spots have made things only worse. The entire property department management is made up of people who don't know what it takes to do the job but will lie right to your face. We know your game. Of greater concern, this is only one line, auto and workers comp has similar stats. So many people and their families have been subject to to unfair treatment of this dictator. Maybe this individual is getting away with it because their boss works in VA. Maybe upper management is unaware of the incompetence. We are all talking now and will be sending letters internally directly to the top. This way, it can not be said that the people that can actually make decisions did not know. The sewer is brewing.

It's interesting when reading through the previous comments - I am nodding my head when I see the frustration and unhappiness that people are feeling about what this company has become and I am also agreeing with those that feel it's a great place to work - because I once felt that, too. This is the thing - there are some people that get the respect, opportunity, pats-on-the-back and 'positive press' but there are so many more (who deserve all the good stuff, too) that aren't sure how they are going to get through the day, whether they can meet the crazy and unrealistic expectations and goals and whether they actually have (or want) a future with this company. I was one of those people that had all the good stuff -- I was considered an 'Exceeds', I received great pay increases, bonuses, and opportunities and then it stopped. I'm not sure why - maybe I lost that loving feeling because I saw the pain that we were putting our staff through, maybe I failed to remember that telling the truth is not accepted (no one really wants to hear how the staff are feeling, even if they ask), maybe I forgot who I needed to kiss up to, maybe my salary got too high and it was less costly to put a less-experienced employee is my place, maybe I was just not the person that they wanted anymore. I thought that I was considered a part of the team but I found that I was only considered a part of the team if I took my brain out and inserted the catch phrases and corporate speak that was being spouted by the executive management team. When it comes down to it - my fate is my responsibility but I'm so sad to see what this company and the management team have become.

Many of the people that write glowing reports talk about the other people being bitter -- it's not always about being bitter -- it's about being let down, it's about being hurt, frustrated, worried, concerned and beat down. Every company has it's 'haters' but take it from someone who was on the other side -- it's not about hating it's about being disappointed -- disappointed that there is little truth behind the promises and phrases that are spouted by management -- it's not about 'paying for performance', it's about picking people's performance apart bit by bit --- it's not about developing from within, it's about ensuring that those who are promoted know their place, say what they are supposed to say and agree with management decision at every level --- it's not about ensuring that all employees feel respected, valued and cared for...it's about being able to put those words on a PowerPoint presentation and pretend that they are true.

If you work at Travelers - keep your chin up, your nose clean and keep your thoughts to yourself -- do as you are told, maintain an active network for the future, decide what you want for the future and act on it. If you are considering working there -- make sure you've done your homework and if you feel comfortable with what you've read here then go for it, you may very well find the success that others have found.