What's the company culture at Allstate?

Every business has it's own style. What is the office environment and culture like at Allstate?

Are people dressed in business casual, jeans and t-shirts, or full-on suits? Do folks get together for Friday happy hours and friendly get-togethers?

What is a typical day in the life of an employee at Allstate?

Pros: It's a big company that's not going away anytime soon. At the headquarters, many parts of the property are very pretty, there is amply parking, and benefits are generally good with a (fee) fitness area and a pricy day care center.

Cons: Policies are not universally applied throughout the company. For example, while one group may have wi-fi laptops, two flat-panel screens, cell phones, regular Casual Days, bright and airy cubicles, and telecommuting, you could just as easily end up in another group with old, slow desktops, 15-inch CRTs, no telecommuting, a cramped and poorly-lit cubicle, and maybe the occasional casual day.

In general, people at the headquarters are mostly cordial but not really 'friendly,' and some are suprisingly rude. This isn't a place where you'll be hanging out with anyone after hours at Friday night happy hour, that's for sure.

Be aware that last yaar they gave a voluntary termination offer mostly to employees that had been there for several years, and they've recently outsourced their HR - including hiring - to Southeast Asia.

Traveled an hour to Northbrook, spent four hours there interviewing and was told I would be contacted within two weeks. They said they had twelve other candidates to interview (!) and I was the first one.

Two weeks later I called the HR rep and was never called back. The interviewers themselves seemed nice enough (both were late and harried, however) but a VERY rude HR staff. I can see not sending a reject letter to everyone who applies but if someone interviews, at least return a phone call.

I worked at Allstate for nearly a decade. Once I was advised that it was important to remember that one could not get promoted simply by being good at your job.

I worked for Allstate for twelve years. Five in the field and seven at the corporate office.

To correct "what I know in Chicago". Allstate offered the voluntary termination offer to ALL exempt level employees (regardless of tenure)that was about 7K employees. I accepted the offer to round out my professional experience. Having said that, the culture is very employee friendly in comparison to most insurance companies. Additionally, ALL functions within Allstate are undergoing a review of their areas for outsourcing opportunities. HR outsourced a majority of their departments including recruitment, benefits, the generalist side and payroll.

There are several perks that are offered at the corporate office that are not available at remote offices (i.e. onsite daycare, dependant daycare backup, onsite fitness center and Starbucks). The benefit package is much better than most insurance companies as well as their compensation philosophy and approach. They are fair and believe in consistency.

Having worked in a field location the culture is definitely more relaxed and you see casual fridays and even flexible summer hours etc.. because there is no corporate presence. In the corporate office the culture is a bit more formal - you see the CEO in the cafeteria and at times at Starbucks. So denim Fridays is not widely accepted at the Northbrook location.

gunner47 in San Leandro, California said: I worked at Allstate for nearly a decade. Once I was advised that it was important to remember that one could not get promoted simply by being good at your job.

I Agree 100%

I am a middle-level manager and have worked in the Corporate HQ in Northbrook, IL and in several field locations. I'm a 20 year employee - its been my only "real" job. This company has been very, very good to me for a long time. Compared to my friends, some of whom have Masters Degrees, I make more money and generally have better benefits. Years ago, we started with one week's vacation. Now, we hire new employees who get about 20 days off a year (includes sick days) to start. If you are someone who has both people skills, a good work ethic and can multi-task, this is a company for you. The diversity (particularly in large field locations and in Home Office) is unmatched. This has been a great company to be affiliated with for more than 20 years. As to the corporate office, it is difficult for people to get together after work - but this isn't because folks aren't nice. Its because they live so spread out and have families. There are several affinity groups employees can join at the HQ. As to the field locations, each office has its own personality. In my experience, the younger the workers, the more they "hang out" after work. Some of my best friends are also Allstate employees.

I worked for Allstate for over 10 years in a field office. They consolidated and I chose to leave. Allstate is the poster child for passive/aggressive. They will solicit your opinions and NO MATTER HOW GENUINE, CONSTRUCTIVE, OR WELL-MEANING YOUR IDEAS, if you suggest something that goes against the prevailing policy at the time, they will turn on you like a rabid dog. I have heard several times in meetings that "if you do not like it here, McDonald's is hiring". I did not have a problem with them not asking for my opinions or ideas, BUT I DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM TURNING ON YOU FOR DOING WHAT THEY ASKED. My friends that are still with the company are all quite unhappy and so overworked that they all complain that they are about to have a heart attack. Be warned.

ALL policies - including summer hours and dress code - depend ENTIRELY on your manager. This is stated in the employee handbook, so while the company may offer certain things (such as telecommuting and casual Fridays), that doesn't automatically mean each one is available to YOU.

Most 'perks' are really conveniences, since the company does charge you for them and there's not many options in the immediate surrounding area. (Side note: Executives in the corporate HQ have their own dining room and chef.)

This is one of the more political cultures I've seen compared to other Fortune 500 headquarters I've been at in recent years. (It's also hypersensitive to criticism, re-spinning news stories posted by AP, Reuters, etc, rather than just posting them as is, and blocking employee access to sites as benign as a blog that criticized Allstate's handling of Katrina claims.)

On the plus side, the pay is very competitive.

gunner47 in San Leandro, California said: I worked at Allstate for nearly a decade. Once I was advised that it was important to remember that one could not get promoted simply by being good at your job.

Ahhh, yes, one must factor in the brown-nose quotient !

Honestly I think Allstate is a company of the past. I don't think pay is fair and is hard to address with anyone within management. It's completely normal for Allstate to do whatever it takes to create diversity. I'm a white male and have never been treated like I have been while at Allstate. If I were a candidate I would look somewhere else first. This company is bad place and a slave to the stock price.

Anon in Willowbrook, Illinois said: I Agree 100%

I also agree 100 percent

What I Know in Chicago, Illinois said: Pros: It's a big company that's not going away anytime soon. At the headquarters, many parts of the property are very pretty, there is amply parking, and benefits are generally good with a (fee) fitness area and a pricy day care center.

Cons: Policies are not universally applied throughout the company. For example, while one group may have wi-fi laptops, two flat-panel screens, cell phones, regular Casual Days, bright and airy cubicles, and telecommuting, you could just as easily end up in another group with old, slow desktops, 15-inch CRTs, no telecommuting, a cramped and poorly-lit cubicle, and maybe the occasional casual day.

In general, people at the headquarters are mostly cordial but not really 'friendly,' and some are suprisingly rude. This isn't a place where you'll be hanging out with anyone after hours at Friday night happy hour, that's for sure.

Be aware that last yaar they gave a voluntary termination offer mostly to employees that had been there for several years, and they've recently outsourced their HR - including hiring - to Southeast Asia.

I agree with this comment and would add apples (WRP) and oranges (West Plaza) are completely different. IF you work in Willow Road Plaza then your in the ghetto that is for sure...

Another Comment in Streetsboro, Ohio said: I am a middle-level manager and have worked in the Corporate HQ in Northbrook, IL and in several field locations. I'm a 20 year employee - its been my only "real" job. This company has been very, very good to me for a long time. Compared to my friends, some of whom have Masters Degrees, I make more money and generally have better benefits. Years ago, we started with one week's vacation. Now, we hire new employees who get about 20 days off a year (includes sick days) to start. If you are someone who has both people skills, a good work ethic and can multi-task, this is a company for you. The diversity (particularly in large field locations and in Home Office) is unmatched. This has been a great company to be affiliated with for more than 20 years. As to the corporate office, it is difficult for people to get together after work - but this isn't because folks aren't nice. Its because they live so spread out and have families. There are several affinity groups employees can join at the HQ. As to the field locations, each office has its own personality. In my experience, the younger the workers, the more they "hang out" after work. Some of my best friends are also Allstate employees.

You are a joke maybe we should have lunch and talk about your corrupt views at the North Plaza cafe...

What I Know in Chicago, Illinois said:

In general, people at the headquarters are mostly cordial but not really 'friendly,' and some are suprisingly rude. This isn't a place where you'll be hanging out with anyone after hours at Friday night happy hour, that's for sure.

I'm guessing that if I worked at a company that consistently screws people over and if I had to listen to complaint after complaint, I would be cranky too.

After my experience with allstate, I have ended friendships and turned down dates b/c someone works for allstate.

www.myspace.com/girlundercover

www.myspace.com/allstatevictim

www.kathatesallstate.com

Anyone in the Chicago Area might want to try a company that helped me and a few of my co-workers get great jobs!!! They treated us very well. Most agencies treat you like a number because they have quotas and the all mighty dollar is what they look for. It's horrible when you are not treated right.

Try Strategic Talent in the Chicago area. They were very nice to me and treated me excellent.

This is the email of the recruiter that we all used.She was great to work with.

hr.strategictalent@yahoo.com Her name is Jeanna.

Send your resume and what kind of job you want.

Good Luck!

Angela in Asheville, North Carolina said: I worked for Allstate for over 10 years in a field office. They consolidated and I chose to leave. Allstate is the poster child for passive/aggressive. They will solicit your opinions and NO MATTER HOW GENUINE, CONSTRUCTIVE, OR WELL-MEANING YOUR IDEAS, if you suggest something that goes against the prevailing policy at the time, they will turn on you like a rabid dog. I have heard several times in meetings that "if you do not like it here, McDonald's is hiring". I did not have a problem with them not asking for my opinions or ideas, BUT I DID HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM TURNING ON YOU FOR DOING WHAT THEY ASKED. My friends that are still with the company are all quite unhappy and so overworked that they all complain that they are about to have a heart attack. Be warned.

I agree with this comment...they talk about diversity, but in general they are not open to new ideas or different perspectives. If you are looking for a dynamic environment where your ideas can be heard, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

What I Know in Chicago, Illinois said: Pros: It's a big company that's not going away anytime soon. At the headquarters, many parts of the property are very pretty, there is amply parking, and benefits are generally good with a (fee) fitness area and a pricy day care center.

Cons: Policies are not universally applied throughout the company. For example, while one group may have wi-fi laptops, two flat-panel screens, cell phones, regular Casual Days, bright and airy cubicles, and telecommuting, you could just as easily end up in another group with old, slow desktops, 15-inch CRTs, no telecommuting, a cramped and poorly-lit cubicle, and maybe the occasional casual day.

In general, people at the headquarters are mostly cordial but not really 'friendly,' and some are suprisingly rude. This isn't a place where you'll be hanging out with anyone after hours at Friday night happy hour, that's for sure.

Be aware that last yaar they gave a voluntary termination offer mostly to employees that had been there for several years, and they've recently outsourced their HR - including hiring - to Southeast Asia.

There current rumor mill is there is going to be another reduction in force, but they aren't calling it this. They are using the performance management approach so they can get rid of employees without having to pay severance as well as having it become part of the public domain. Makes sense since the earnings were down for the current quarter.

I work in the Dallas location. Very nice! People are VERY friendly. However... earnings are probably down so much because the company is spending so much money on this "Inclusive" program. It's basically common sense to most people, but the company is making such a big deal out of it. On another note: It depends on the department you work in if you want good/bad feedback. Accounting is probably the best department you could work for at Allstate. I wouldn't reccomend working for Northbrook Services. (NBS=A lockbox company within Allstate) The work is VERY manual, and the workload is TOOOO heavy... and on top of that... the contractors they hire want to sit down all day and do nothing---so you end up having to take their dead weight!