Working environment:
not necessarily living what they are preaching.
- Allianz's UK entity predominantly lacks diversity & convincing appreciation for a diverse talent pool / true understanding of benefits for workplace, often rather "overwhelmed" with diversity. All sorts of diversities sometimes rather perceived as handicap and person needs to be included.
- though "German & other language skills beneficial when applying", frankly never needed.
- innovations rather top down; staff not markedly open-minded for change.
- digitalisation: heavy & older hardware / softwares slow & don't run smoothly.
- many teams with high staff turnover.
- When travelling to other branches etc. due to cost savings, lunch / coffees etc not necessarily refunded, which is below market standard.
Graduate / Trainee Programme:
- ACII diploma - company pays for this, as management trainee however diploma only truly relevant when you plan to work in claims or underwriting. Be careful (!) : Company tries to bind you by threatening you when leaving earlier the company before completion of programme you have to pay back loads of money. They have no mercy, and pressure you to sign up right on day one. Saw several trainees leaving earlier, and got the "bill" from a "bitter" company.
- You can be lucky with placements, but most likely you will go through some placements where you are considered as cheap workforce just filling employee resource gaps.
- Here and there you might cross paths with managers having employee responsibility, operating in a more process driven approach, not strong in social competence. Here much pro activity from you required to stand up for your personal and professional development and not only filling a gap temporary.
- Placements in Brentford (London) different to a few other locations, not awarded with a living allowance, though in London! With a moderate trainee salary a bit more difficult to finance living than elsewhere.
