Q&A With Hanover Research Employees

It was fine for me - I went home by 5-5:30 most days.

Work/life balance isn't bad. The typically hours are about 45/week. However, there are often cases where something will come up to take you away from the main project that you're working on. The leftover work will require your own time or you can ask for additional time, which isn't always available. Successful researchers will develop excellent time-management skills and know when to say "no" to additional requests. People are not expected to work extra hours, and your coworkers are always appreciative when you do so to get something done.

Work-life balance in Content/Research is good once you've adapted to the pace of work - about 40-45 hrs/wk. However, some newer researchers do work after hours or over the weekend if they have to make corrections to their work or cannot accurately forecast time needed. Good communication with colleagues about project concerns or just general question helps, but there's a learning curve for sure.

It's fast, which was fine with me, but can be stressful for a lot of people.

The pace is very fast (at least for researchers), and it feels especially fast at first since you're not used to the process. Project timelines are managed very actively, and project discussions/emails typically happen more than once/day. Communication is key to avoid backtracking to fix mistakes or to head in a different direction. As you get acclimated, the pace will still feel fast, but you'll know how to manage your own progress.

It varies by team. My team morale was very low and we had a 60% turnover rate due to the team's managers. The managers just played favoritism, and promoted the employees they most liked despite job performance. They also suppressed everyone else's salaries. They would be shocked with the non-favored employees would leave. Basically, they preferred people who didn't outshine or contradict them in any way. If you were too smart of independent-minded, you got penalized. I was constantly blamed for my coworkers' errors and shortcomings. So I left.

In research, morale varies by type of work and seniority. The quick pace and repetition is not for everyone. Those who are able to move up quickly from grunt work or identify "new" tasks/responsibilities to alter their work and find areas for personal growth are naturally happier, more involved, and more likely to stay. Researchers leave every year, especially for school though often for other opportunities. It seems like attrition has not been as high recently than in the past couple of years. There is a major push to standardize work where possible to minimize repetition - will have to wait to see if morale improves after this process.

cubicles for most employees; window offices along 2-3 sides of the building; lighting is good

4-foot high cubicles for most employees in research, account management, and sales; offices for senior managers/directors. larger, higher cubicles for employees in strategy (on a different floor) overall, bright and minimalist (recently renovated)

Neat, clean, young, and kinda nerdy.

Overall I think the CEO is viewed favorably. Very personable and in touch with the company. Very approachable.

Willingness to help, knowledge sharing