Vantaggi
For a region (South Florida) dominated by companies with poor management, shady business practices, horrible benefits and salaries 30-40% below the national average (due to the 'Sunshine Tax'), Ultimate Software is definitely a 'Diamond in the Rough' and it is comparably a much better place to work than many others within the Miami-Broward-Palm Beach corridor. If one is able to land a virtual role or one in one of the other offices elsewhere in the US, all the better. The health benefits packaged covered 100% by the company coupled with the impressive employee morale (in most departments) gives Ultimate Software the look and feel of truly a great place to work and an exceptional professional environment in probably the most obscure regional job market in the country. Most of the executive management is one of the most approachable and friendly groups of individuals I have interfaced with in my professional career. Scott Scherr, the CEO, will go out of his way to say 'Hello' to you...an average foot soldier. Like many similar software companies, salespeople, sales engineers and software developers reap the spoils. They are treated with the utmost praise, lavish compensation and perks, support and pampering. Afterall, they are the main engine of the company's success. Because Ultimate Software believes in 'fewer feet on the ground' (less salespeople), the pressure cooker environment is really non-existant. In fact, the company has an old-school sales environment reminiscent of the long-sought after days of the 1990s and prior.
Svantaggi
Middle (Director Level) Management - Several of whom don't know the key systems and business processes of which they manage leading to mayhem coupled with erratic goals and unrealistic expectations. Top-Heavy Management - Similar to other workplaces in South Florida (and perhaps across the country as well during these times) it seems like Ultimate is a company of have and have nots. Company parking lots are a mixture of high end luxury vehicles coupled with economy cars and beaters. The shrinking corporate 'middle class'. Silo'ed Business Units - Not unique to Ultimate Software, but nevertheless communication between certain departments is an issue. Morale - Though very high as stated in the previous section, one gets the feeling that if it weren't for Ultimate Software picking up employee health insurance coverage, it might just be another place to work and some folks would definately flock elsewhere. Some employees feel locked into Ultimate for this reason. "Hot Potato" Departments - Workplace Support and Sales Operations (not Sales per se). Both are plagued with bad management, low morale and turnover. Possible Aquisition - Though not a Con if you are a shareholder, it is an area of concern for many as the SAAS software Market has been seeing an uptick in companies buying up others. A clumsily written denial email (responding to such reports) by Scott Scherr to employees earlier this year has only fueled the speculation.