The Pay is a Sticking Point: This is a big one. I often see people say that the salaries are below market rate compared to competitors. Even more frustrating, apparently promotions and raises are notoriously slow or hard to get. It seems like the only reliable way to get a significant salary bump is to either bring in a competitive offer or leave and come back later.
The Bureaucracy Can Be Rough: Because it's a massive company built on mergers, it can feel incredibly hierarchical and bureaucratic. You're often dealing with multiple layers of management, which can really slow down decision-making and make you feel like the upper tiers are out of touch with what's happening on the ground.
The Fear of the Unknown: There are lingering worries about job security because the company has gone through periods of layoffs and restructuring in the past. On top of that, if you're a high performer, you might find yourself dealing with an increased workload as teams shrink, potentially leading to burnout without proper compensation.
Feeling Like a Small Cog: Ultimately, it's easy to feel like you're just a "cog in the machine" given the sheer scale. Your experience is often highly dependent on the specific project or client you're assigned to, which means things can be very hit-or-miss.
