Pros
Fitch has a generous benefits package which includes health, vision and dental, as well as convenient medical, transportation and childcare reimbursement accounts. The firm also provides back-up child care (though limited number of visits), which only requires a reasonable co-pay of about $10 for a full day of care. Allotted vacation time is generous, ranging from 3 weeks for entry level analysts up to 6 weeks for Senior Directors and above with more than 10 years of service. Finally, most groups allow for flexible work schedules, including work at home. Beyond benefits, access to high level business and government contacts as well as the analytical work can be intellectually rewarding.
Cons
Like other companies, Fitch has downsized significantly over the past couple of years. However, the amount of work has increased, not only due to the increased monitoring and analysis required as a result of the global financial crisis, but also to new business generated in certain areas of the company. This, coupled with minimal base salary increases over the past two years and cuts to bonuses makes for a very unhappy and highly competitive work environment as analysts jockey for their piece of the shrinking pie.