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Western Financial Group Reviews
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    Western Financial Group Reviews

    Updated 8 January, 2019
    110 reviews

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    3.5
    StarStarStarStarStar
    Rating TrendsRating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    Western Financial Group President and CEO Kenny Nicholls
    Kenny Nicholls
    40 Ratings

    Employee Reviews

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    Pros

    • "They realize there has to be a fair work/life balance" (in 6 reviews)

    • "We have really good benefits, 3 weeks of vacation days/year to start along with flex days and sick days" (in 8 reviews)

    Cons

    • "Not a lot of contact with head office" (in 8 reviews)

    • "The micro management and cancerous environment brought about at the mid management level made the environment extremely toxic" (in 4 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons
    1. Featured Review

      "My branch has been a great place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      Current Employee - Insurance Advisor in Medicine Hat, AB
      Current Employee - Insurance Advisor in Medicine Hat, AB
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time

      Pros

      I have read many of the reviews, some very negative. I can only speak from my experience. I am still fairly new to Western and to the insurance field but my experience has been nothing but positive and supportive. The branch management team has supported my growth, they see my success as success for the company.

      Training has been very structured and well paced. The office environment has been good, this branch really does feel like a family (and yes, every family has some dysfunction, but compared to other places I have worked this is minor).

      The pay and benefits are competitive, I have heard that the starting salary is a little lower than other brokerages but the increased vacation and benefits offsets this.

      One of the things about Western that was most appealing to me is the focus on local community and the push to be involved, whether with fundraising efforts, volunteering, or supporting in other ways. Insurance is very much a corporate endeavor, so if being involved in your community and giving back is also important to you, Western is a great place to do that.

      Cons

      I am still new to Western, I have not come across much in the way of negatives yet.

      Advice to Management

      Read through the reviews. Clearly there are some issues in some (perhaps many) of the branches, but not all. Find what is working well, try to replicate it in places where things are not going well. You don't need to reinvent the wheel.

      Western Financial Group Response

      8 Feb, 2018 – Digital Media Specialist

      Thanks for taking the time to review us. We appreciate it!

    2. "Best company with Career Growth"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time

      Pros

      I have been with Western Financial Group for over 25 years, have grown with the company and feel it is the best place to work

      Cons

      There are no concerns with Western

      3. Join the Western Financial Group team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. Helpful (2)

      "Do as I say not as I do"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      Pros

      Some good staff, some great clients. Good health benefits

      Cons

      Management...too many. They do nothing. Need to open their eyes

      Advice to Management

      Get rid of the back stabbers, and brown nosers, and actually look at your staff. Overworked underpaid. We do all the work and you're the ones going on extravagant holidays.

    4. Helpful (1)

      "Lack of values and ethics"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Head Office Employee in High River, AB
      Former Employee - Head Office Employee in High River, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at Western Financial Group full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Wonderful people throughout the company. There is an amazing commitment to community through the Western Communities Foundation.

      Cons

      Upper management does not have an open door policy. People disappear without announcements. There is a underlying culture of fear of job loss if people speak up. Just smile and do as you're told.

      Branch staff are severely unsupported by internal departments and decisions are made based on corporate politics and individual clout than what's best for the customer.

      Advice to Management

      Take come accountability and stop blaming branch staff for all issues, make a commitment to change for the better.

    5. Helpful (1)

      "Shame on you for the way you treat people."

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Director in Winnipeg, MB
      Current Employee - Director in Winnipeg, MB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Some great people at the branch level. Access to markets.

      Cons

      Absolutley all at the executive level. Now, from the regional directors all the way up are a cut throat group who will sell you out to protect themselvs. The HR department is non existent. Extremely uncomfortable interactions with VP’s is an ongoing event. Rediculous “accountability” meetings to embarass you in front of a room full of people is so 18th century it’s crazy if unrealistic budgets aren’t met. Whats worse is that the people determining budget numbers dont have a clue about theit own economical challenges throughout the country but demand numbers are met. People, good people are just a commodity with this company and are disposed of almost daily if the line isnt towed. Not sure how some of these folks sleep at night.

      Advice to Management

      Not sure anything can be said to you. If there was one thing Inguess it would be that its only a matter of time until you’re found out.

    6. Helpful (1)

      "Toxic Management"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee

      I worked at Western Financial Group full-time

      Pros

      Not a bad place aside from toxic management

      Cons

      Toxic managers were never held accountable for behaviour

    7. "Great company"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time

      Pros

      Outside city limits (no traffic), employees are nice, management is good, company goals are clearly discussed to all employees

      Cons

      As this office is situated in High River, it is advisable to have your own car to drive to and from work.

    8. "Great place to work"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time

      Pros

      Head office is a great place to work. Everyone is extremely friendly and they definitely promote a work-life balance. They are a growing company and make you feel like you are a part of what they are building.

      Cons

      The pay isn't as high as it would be in Calgary. There are social events throughout the month but it is not overly social outside of your team. Most people eat lunch at their desk and there are not many options to get out of the office because of location.

      Advice to Management

      Continue to support employees. Maybe look at a better compensation structure that would entice people from the city to High River.

    9. "I Truly Enjoy my Career"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Insurance Sales Advisor in Strathmore, AB
      Current Employee - Insurance Sales Advisor in Strathmore, AB
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      I have been with this company for three and a half years, and have had some of my best experiences with it. I have worked in two of our branches both in Southern Alberta as well as Central Alberta. Each office has helped coach myself in very different ways to be the broker I am today.

      I truly believe in Western Financial Groups focus on supporting our communities. I have been largely involved in our charity Support The Cause and I love seeing the impact the money we raise as an office has impacted my community.

      Western Financial Group is a fair company to work for, that truly enjoys seeing their employees succeed. When I began three and a half years ago, I started at our front desk as a receptionist. I have since then moved my way through our Personal Lines team. I could not have grown as much I have without the support of my coworkers and management team.

      I have recommended two long time friends of my own to the company, who have now become two long term employees to Western Financial Group.

      Cons

      The pay is a little on the lower side, however they make up for it in their benefits, vacation time as well as their Incentive Program.

      Advice to Management

      Keep up the great work!

    10. "Best Job In Town!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Western Financial Group full-time

      Pros

      Great atmosphere
      Great work-life balance
      Management Cares and the branch is like family
      Engaged co-workers
      Lots of career opportunities
      Business goals and targets that challenge you to be your best
      Team excels together

      Cons

      Not a lot of contact with head office