Vantaggi
Well, it was nice already being downtown for events you want to attend like sports or concerts. Also, the people you work with will end up like family... nothing like sharing a common disdain for something to bring people together. Company picnic is pretty awesome.
Svantaggi
Much of what you are told will be a lie. Advancement opportunities, great work place, engagement with the company, raises, bonuses, and much much more will never come to fruition unless you're willing to "play the game" (game= catty politics or being an attractive young woman...or both). Much leadership is beyond inept and couldn't lead their way out of their own house. If something makes sense, then leadership/the company will pretty much do the opposite. Daily, you will find yourself wondering what the hell is going on. After all the time I was there, I found myself saying "no way they will do that, it makes no sense" and then I checked myself. "Of course they will, because it makes no sense!" The good leaders and team members (or family members, as they will call you) will leave sooner than later whether forced or just can't take it anymore. "Family members", HA! If I treated my friends and family like the company treats some employees, I'd be a lonely person. Favoritism is the only way any (besides good looks) that anyone advances in the company. Routinely, good veteran people are ignored and passed up for promotions or transfers for people who are newer, prettier, and in better with the person that the position is under. Hard work and intelligence does not spell success here. Those attributes simply set the stage for stagnation, additional work and responsibility, and soul-sucking disdain for life. Perhaps there are some good places in this company to work for, but it sure seems like there is more bad than good. They keep taking away benefits of working here and adding more bad attributes. Parking downtown costs money and traffic is abundant. Medical benefits get worse yearly; I would go as far as to say they are terrible beginning this year. Company values make sense and are great. Unfortunately, they're not followed by the company but are expected to be followed by everyone. They serve only as a generic way to weed out people that "leaders" don't like. If you like mandatory overtime, being micromanaged, limited growth opportunities, no leadership, "anonymous" surveys that are less than anonymous and are absolutely held against you, being told your family is less important than your "work family", parking in Canada, and nonsensical decisions (amongst much more "fun")...then Meridian is the place for you!