systems analyst

analyst

team leader

marketing coordinator

business analyst

Alberta-Blue-Cross

This company hired me knowing I had no experience in selling group benefits to businesses. There’s little to no help from your peers, no one goes into office when you’re supposed to which makes it even harder to get one-on-one support, management does not want to listen to what you have to say about your experience or the problem you’re having, they only want the job done and that’s it. Management also doesn’t know what they’re doing and when you ask for help they tell you to ask someone else. There’s jobs where there’s absolutely no structure, but so much support that you’re able to thrive and this is the complete opposite of thriving. They shouldn’t hire people with no experience and have no training. The first 3 months of probation I wasn’t doing anything nor had any hands-on experience. Imagine working a job where the first 3 months of probation, you pass from watching movies, reading and playing video games. No training in place, it was ‘you’re done probation, now figure it out.’ This should’ve have been a red flag to me and when it came to the nitty gritty of asking for help I was brushed off and told things like “I’m selling my house, so it’s hard for me to help you” or brushing off meetings. I had meetings with management that gave me feedback about me apparently being hard to reach when I had transcripts proving that wasn’t true and suggested I can share my screen to prove it and management didn’t want to see it. The other group sales representative I worked with was a two-face and likes to throw others under the bus and management believes everything said from that person without wanting to hear from others, even if you had proof to justify your actions. Thankfully I had a job lined up before leaving this place. This is one of the most disorganized, unsupportive workplace I’ve ever experienced and for a company that’s been around for over 100 years, since the world war.. it DOES NOT have their priorities together. I shut down 5 offers before accepting Blue Cross because it was reputable. It’s reputable by name.. not from the work environment. I’m glad I got some experience but this company is some next level disaster. Only apply if you have experience, because if not, you will be setup for failure. I can guarantee. 

Worked as a junior business analyst at blue cross for about 18months. I was fresh out of university with minimal experience. The first month or two was ok but after that I had minimal supports. Anytime I would go to my manager for assistance on a task I would get sneered at and could hear muttering under his breath when I went away.

It's evident that many people who work here hate their job (or more likely, their life). Most people were so unfriendly. I can't blame them though, if I worked here 10 years and was making well-below industry standards, and had to come to this dark, dingy building everyday, I might be a little chapped too.

The raises are absolutely pathetic. We're talking like maybe $100/year which is not even in line with inflation. Blue Cross claims to have education grants for use for the employees to better themselves and their careers. Well, as a junior BA why wouldn't they foot the bill for me to take the BA certificate at NAIT? And, why did they expect me to take it on the weekends!?

Management seems to have their own clique and look down on us regular joes. This really was the worst job ever. After speaking wtih other BAs, this is what happens - you graduate from university, get a couple years experience at this craphole, then move onto greener pastures. 
So glad I am now with a company that values their employees. This new company is a complete 180. I make 15k more a year now, get my education paid for (and get to take it on the weekday), and we have several potlucks and recognize employees for their achievements.
Do NOT WORK HERE!!!

What is the best part of working at the company?
Work from home, recieve benefits

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
High pressure sales, micro managing, out of office work expected at times, unachievable targets that dictate your bonus, pay is low, cost of their benefits take a good chunk off your psy cheque, they boost about their conference which is a weekend you have to go or take holidays if you don't and it's 3 days of boring presentations. Little opportunity to move up, if you would even want to with how unstructured the company and policies are. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The people who have been there for many years are their own little group that get all the rewards, top positions and special treatment. Because you work from home and are expected to be working every minute, there is no time or allowance to get to know your co workers. Very toxic environment because of how high pressure the jobs are. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Turn your computer on. Talk to clients till 11am. Back on at 12pm and talk to clients till the end of the day. Once a week a team meeting and once a week a meeting with your manager to direct and criticize your work. They record all your calls, emails and messages

Within your given team, you might find excellent co-workers and even excellent low level managers, as there are some truly fine leaders and productive workers within the organization.

However, the talent, education and creativity of the lower level staff are largely stifled, lost, or misdirected by a rigid, older, middle and upper management structure.  Pay is below industry standard, and employee engagement is low, with suggestions and expert analysis often ignored by decision makers altogether. Office politics is endemic, and advancing or even surviving within the organization depends heavily on getting in with the right cabal in management. Certain departments are firm no-go areas under toxic senior managers that are openly driving talent out of the organization. Morale can often be very, very poor.

The hardest part of the job was watching a considerable volume of talent and creativity go to waste advancing pet projects that did little to nothing to advance the company or benefit its customers.

High expectations for very low pay.  I learned that management gets bonuses for making you work harder and be productive with no salary increases for years for regular employees.
Management gets perks which employees don’t.  Bottom line the company is very cheap except to management.  They will fly management to Phoenix for a powwow and send Sales people to Banff for a powwows  but nickel and dime the hard working non management employees.   
Hardest part of the job was seeing this day to day!  There was always a sense of entitlement for them and no compensation for anyone else.  They really don’t care about you as you are only a number to them for productivity!  They don’t talk to you and they don’t interact with you and when they do talk to you it’s about themselves!

Very toxic environment and people in general. Managers are arrogant, gossip, stuck up. Their is no way to win with them, be it your a hard working person or lazy. Management and team leads create more drama then the regular employees. Good benefits and sick/vacation days. No oppruitunity to grow in any direction. Most managers love to blame others for their weakness' and enjoy gossiping more then working. They treat their employees like children with the way they talk down to them and overall approach. Lots of fake people and interactions. Lots of people rat on each other or try to get their coworkers into trouble with management. Floor managers are very distant and have a sense of superiority. Do not try to be civil or make friends as that's viewed as a weakness.

A typical work day consists of invoicing and reporting on Spending Accounts.  
Being organized and having the ability to prioritize the workload is key.  Treating the Customer with respect and dignity is number one.  
Having management and co-workers that provide support and guidance where needed is essential.
The hardest part of the job is determining discrepancies between the various systems in play.
And the enjoyable part is knowing you have assisted the Client and provided them with the answers they required.....satisfying their needs....and going above and beyond.

ABC loves to brag about what a great place it is to work but don’t believe it. My department had around 70% turnover rate, everyone says the same thing in Exit Interviews (unreasonable workload, no training, no leadership, zero appreciation, support or acknowledgement that people are constantly overworked because they can’t keep employees, bullying from managers) and NO ONE CARES. 

Absolute worst, most toxic environment ever. STAY AWAY! 

The company promotes work-life balance which is good. However, some departments are too busy that you can't catch a break. Work keeps piling up, management is aware but not doing anything about it. Everyone is overworked and overloaded with side tasks which are impossible to complete because they are busy with their actual responsibilities. It is very evident that they lack manpower. Management is pushing what they want without even understanding the system and hearing out their subordinates.

A lot of people have been with the company for so long and yet their position is still either "junior" or "intermediate", proof that advancement is difficult.

Salary is average but a lot of deductions which should be optional instead of forcing it to all employees.

Positives would be mobile/hybrid work options, a lot of great people to work with and flexible hours (if workload permits). There is a lot of variety for career choices and if your manager supports you, there is funding towards professional development. 

Challenges experienced are there is significant amount of "make-work" tasks, poor decision-making, competing priorities, internal transfers are often poorly compensated compared to external hires, which is a common issue in many companies. Many managers exhibit toxic behavior. Poor benefits package, especially for being a benefits company.


Top Job Titles	Average salary
Systems analyst 4 salaries reported	$91,375 per year
Analyst 4 salaries reported	$69,400 per year
Team leader 5 salaries reported	$66,320 per year
Marketing coordinator 3 salaries reported	$60,333 per year
Business analyst 3 salaries reported	$85,000 per year

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