Q&A With Kaiser Permanente Employees

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Depends who your friends are

I'm not proud to work for KP anymore sadly

Amusement park

It's a very large company with a very large marketing department, the answer to this question depends wholly on who your team actually is. I've heard multiple stories of employees who were belittled and made to cry in meetings - and I have also personally experienced generous managers who will try to help your career. Like any other company, it's a roll of the dice...

Differs by level. Some leaders are fantastic and do a great job of motivating their teams at all levels. Others care more about their own career than fostering the growth of the teams under them.

Vibe depends entirely on your manager's working style. The company espouses a collaborative mentorship environment at all levels, even purchasing coaching for new executives. However, not all managers prefer this style, and life can be difficult if you're not used to that. However, even in that case it doesn't mean long hours. Staying late is very rare and in general discouraged for most teams. That isn't to say you might not just be working from home at night on your laptop, though...

Behavioral questions.

Can’t recall. The interview questions were comprehensive

Specific metrics. Depending on the department. All metrics are tied into cascading goals that come from Program Office.

Emotional intelligence; Confidentiality; Proficient computer skills; Internal knowledge of Kaiser Permanente systems and processes; Flexibility; Work ethic; Ability to build strong, cross-functional relationships; Willingness to go above and beyond your standard job description; etc.

Generally there is a severance package offered, but no relocation assistance. You’re on your own to find another position.

Not great. The algorithms HR uses for screening resumes are difficult to figure out. Even when you know the hiring manager and they are willing to look at your resume, HR will sometimes never move the resume forward for review. We need lots of help in revamping our HR recruiting processes, in my opinion.

Excellent company for advancing your career.

Very helpful

Money!

If it's a job class that's being eliminated, then those employees close to retirement are given an incentive to take early retirement, or they can he cross trained elsewhere if appropriate. If a position in a specific department is eliminated that person that gets bumped out can apply for any open positions in the system and gets seniority. In 8 years there, I never saw someone just sent out the door.

there is no such thing as a "Product department" at this company

Advanced degrees, well connected, experience in similar fields.

There are literally hundreds of engineering teams. Each is unique and different

On a scale of 100? - 95

Typical corporate office structure—executive offices and cubicles.

Kaiser Permanente offers fair pay. For a nonprofit, it’s better than expected, but don’t compare it with for profit pay.

Work life balance is encouraged but not always possible. You better be prepared to carry your mobile electronics home with you—and maybe even on vacations.

For the most part, we have strong teams. We are striving for ‘One Kaiser Permanente’ and have realized some successes. One of the biggest challenges is the power of the unions.