Decent for short term, pay not great if you stay too long, watch your back - Principal Consultant Mercer Employee Review

3.0
Aug 5, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There is $10,000 annual tuition reimbursement. They pay for actuarial certifications and give work time for exams. Used to be a pension & parking subsidy (parking costs $90/month in garage in Phx) but no more. Health benefits are good (although all high deductible plans, which work for me). Stock price is high. Take part in the 401(k) and buy stock! It adds up. If you join--try to negotiate as high a salary as you can since pay is not great. Use the tuition benefit and get an advanced degree in 2 years, stay a third so you don't need to pay it back, then leave. Bounce to a few other companies and come back if you want, since that's the only way your salary will increase decently. Good place for someone starting out or for someone coming from a state agency or MCO who can get a great salary. I gave it a thumbs up but would have liked to give it a neutral.

Cons

We were recently informed we are expected back in the office 3 days a week, unless we had already made our work from home status official (we were not made aware of this). Advancement process is inequitable--make friends with those at the top (or at least the top of your group). Really. Workload is too much for the reward. Pay is low unless you leave for a year. Then come back, make a lot more and get a promotion immediately or the following year. Stay and stagnate. Many left last year. No real repercussions for mediocre performance. No benefits for working night and day to meet/exceed client expectations and fill gaps others leave. Leadership does not want to hear even slightly negative feedback, which is necessary for positive change. Recent restructuring has raised billable hour goals to 1600 for virtually everyone this year (2023), which is a significant increase for many. (Although almost no nonbillable hours are expected outside of trainings, meeting as with supervisors and a few more quarterly meetings.). Employees mostly unwilling to go the extra mile. Leadership mostly unconcerned with opinions of the masses. Managers mostly will not help. Was a much more toxic environment, but working from home helped alleviate a lot of that. Backstabbing/sabotage is a real problem so beware. Most staff are decent; issues seem to be mostly involving managers/leadership staff. Disheartening to be an employee.

Explore other reviews about Mercer

5.0
Jan 11, 2026
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The leadership, communication, early career growth, and environment is very positive.

Cons

None, it was a great company to be at.

2.0
Jun 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Remote flexibility, which is nice.

Cons

You will not get a raise and if you do, it'll be 1%. Managers will not help you with escalating issues, you're on your own. It'll be blamed on you. You'll work so much overtime you won't have a social life.

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