I currently work for a large health insurance company. I will admit in the beginning I was very naive, I worked in the government payer (medicaid/medicare) department last year for an audit and it went very smoothly. I have no complaints from my time with them during that contract, so when I was offered another position several months after that contract ended I gladly accepted. The offer was for the commercial insurance dept, so I expected it to be different (completely different management & policies), but I didnt expect a trainwreck.
First red flag, new hires were misled about the position. I was told it was a mid-level position. It ended up being an entry level position. Which on isn't a big deal since I'm still getting paid a good amount of money, but I've been doing the same thing for nearly 5 years and now was being treated like I knew nothing about the industry I was experienced & certified in. I fell into a depression because it all got to my head. Training is way too long (I started in October, training is still going on) and seems like it's designed to make people feel stupid. And the job title kept changing, adding more confusion as to what the hell everyone was even hired for.
Second red flag, no sick days, PTO only. Not even permanent employees get sick days (I'm a temp, so no PTO for me). We get points based on time missed. Leaving 15 minutes early for a doctors appt can be half a point (full day is 1). Anywhere between 5-8 points is termination, and points don't go away until the next year. Like if I missed today, that point would be there until Dec 19 2023. I have to go to doctors because of health conditions, I asked if a note would excuse the absence, nope. And there are times when absolutely NO PTO is allowed – like all of January.
And everyone acts like this is all completely fine. My coworkers always talk about how “spoiled they feel” with this attendance policy because Walmart or whatever other retail made them work on Christmas. Pretty much, this company surpassed the very low bar of retail. Which is enough to make most people happy apparently. Especially since this position is remote, but there's rumor of going back to the office so we'll see if that happens. I had another coworker say “part of being an adult is going to work on time and doing your job”, which drives me crazy how people phrase being treated as a child as being an adult. We're micromanaged. I should mention I have a second job, and it's probably what's kept me sane (it's only part time, at least until a full time position opens up). I make my own schedule, I'm not micromanaged (hell, I'm usually the only one even there), and I'm treated like a professional rather than a child that needs to be babysat.
As much as I need money, I cant stick to their insane policies. Money won't be very useful if I choke on my tongue in my sleep or some shit. I told my husband I'd have to cancel my Neurology appt (I work M-F 7-4, which conflicts with every doctors office in my area) and he nearly lost his mind. I had 2 seizures back to back, so he urged I need to go even if I get fired. I finally felt validated in my complaints, because it started to seem like I was the problem for being the only one who had a problem with the strict rules, if that makes sense. I had to miss 3 days because we moved into a house, and I was worried about missing more time. But I no longer give a shit. They're expectations are unrealistic, giving 0 flexibility to people who work when everything important is open. “Do things before/after work!” When everything's closed? Ok, dipshit. Management always says that bs, as if 24/7 neurologists or dermatologists or allergists, etc are a friggin thing. If I get fired, I get fired. If I dont, I dont. I'm sorry if I seemed all over the place, I just needed to vent my frustrations & wanted to avoid making this post a 5 mile long block of text.