Not what it once was (and the HR titles don't reflect actual work/job) - IT Project Analyst Aka Tech Support Optum Employee Review

1.0
Apr 26, 2019
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

I will get back to you on this if I can think of anything (there used to be many, not so much anymore)...

Cons

Many changes due to new micromanaging / bottom line $$ reduction strategies being implemented (i.e. NPS scoring, Agile, Kanban, etc) and plans to offshore significant portion of work force. Work from home at most places is being eliminated, management has been stressing that employees must be in the office and making many change from full time remote to in-office. There have easily been over 1000 layoffs this year with more planned - extensive offshoring of functions, especially IT and elimination of Sr Directors/Management. It does not matter how well you do, peer feedback/reviews, Bravo awards, what you get on annual reviews, workload, etc it is more cost driven, how much you make/cost the company in benefits. I've seen several very qualified people laid off in the last 4 months simply because they make more than their significantly unqualified peers. The jobs are very single task focused, if you are a desktop support technician that's typically all you do; you rarely have opportunity to grow skillset by working other projects, i.e. server OS, active directory, gpo, etc. No location is being spared - MN, CA, MA, IL, TX, FL - you name it... Many teams were required to hire and train off-shore staff with vastly different technical and communication skillsets they said to have "follow-the-sun" support but it really means to replace US staff. As these off-shore teams are trained, the US staff is cut. You are also forced to automate as much of your work as possible - even if the automation does not accomplish all the tasks required or provide necessary service.

Explore other reviews about Optum

5.0
Apr 25, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Pay. Great Benefits. Great People. awesome front line management. Frequent meals and employee input.

Cons

Worked like a cog machine.

3.0
Jun 4, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Some very talented people give so much of themselves to the company, the clients and their co-workers. I work with (and have worked with) some excellent, smart, supportive people.

Cons

Too many layoffs. Upper management is clueless about how the day to day work gets done, what it takes to make certain changes to processes, and how to treat employees. Some are great. Mostly, they just look at numbers. So many of us have been doing our jobs long enough to know what is needed for certain requests. But we don't get a voice. We just have to do it and suck it up. They are firing ('reduction in force') all of the seasoned staff and let the rest deal with the fall-out. So many teams are losing good people but those people are training their off-shore replacements before they are told about being cut. So how is that a reduction in force? It's just a reduction in payroll numbers. Everyone is on edge just waiting for the next axe to fall. And we have to try and learn or teach another role with less experienced people and more work. It's crazy. On milestone anniversaries, they send an email recognition but once the milestone gets to over 15 years, you are a target. Pay and benefits are fine by me. Raises are practically non-existent, even after layoffs and asking employees to take on more responsibility. that's messed up. They talk about work/life balance but that doesn't trickle down to the actual workers who are so stressed they fear for their jobs if they don't do the extra mile. Many of us are just hanging on instead of quitting so we can at least get some severance. Others are actively looking.

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