Working at Travelers Insurance — Reviews by Employees

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.

A few years ago I started out working for a temp agency and was placed in their tech support call center. It was my first job out of college and probably the worst. I do not suggest you work in their help desk dept. Since we all were temps we were treated poorly. I did that for 1yr with no opportunity to become full time. The job sucked. Opening tickets and then forwarding calls to the "experts" for handling who had no clue and then we'd have to keep following up with these so called experts who didn't know how to solve the problem and it always came back to us. Finally I posted for a job in the claims call center in Windsor. Dear lord what was I thinking. TERRIBLE PLACE. Talk about being watched like you are a little kid. I did excel as I was told but I never got any pay increase for the first year. They said although I was a top performer I needed to be "better". Well lucky for me i was able to get a new job in WindsorST doing accounts. I have been doing this for 3yrs. I loved it but soon realized it is a dead end job. I do not understand why management doesn't want to promote from within. Never really give me any increase each year yet I go above and beyond. I even found a few problems with their stupid portal system and they could have cared less! It got fixed a few months later but geez, if no one else caught it, they would be ruined I feel. Yet they still do not want to recognize me. I have heard the rumors of lay offs so I'm already looking for a new job. I thought this was a good company but I've ended up at a dead end because of poor management. I didn't want to post here but I did anyway after my friend told me about the site. Good luck to all.

I must say that I fully agree with what was written yesterday from Hartford. This is a great company with great benefits and opportunities. For those of you that are bitter and like to blame others for your own failures, I suggest you put more effort into your career. I am noticed by my boss because I do what it takes to get the job done. I am not a kiss ass, I just believe in good hard work and in respect for a good days work. I am entitled to nothing. From what I have read, it seems that people like "broken umbrella" and "over-th-hill" think they are entitled to something that I am sure they don't deserve.

For those of you that want to believe the BS written by those fools, I feel sorry for you. The real story here at Travelers is that hard work and dedication are rewarded, the pay and benefits are fair, and there is great opportunities for career growth. Nothing in life is handed to you, so I think that "broken umbrella" and "over-th-hill" need to get off their high horse and maybe spend more time doing their job then posting and reviewing blogs on a website. I am sure this is a great way for them to spend their day on company time.

I worked auto claims for Travelers in NC and left to work for another company a few years ago. Where I work now gets ripped on a daily basis at this site but I can honestly say it has never been as bad here as it was at Travelers. The expecatations here are high but atleast they can be achieved. The expecatations at Travelers became unobtainable. They became so oppressive that many good people decided it was no longer worth the stress and left. I raised several issues to HR but they were ignored. I also raised the issues to upper management and they chose to ignore me as well. I now read through the comments on JobVent and have to agree with many of them. It does seem that Travelers has lost touch with reality on what is truly achievable.