Ok. So has anyone heard any instances of someone being blackballed with Anthem? I’ve been here 8 years. I’ve had nothing but good reviews. I’ve been on 1 team the entire time. I’ve taken 2 sick days in 8 years. I’m reliable. I don’t complain. Anyway, over the last month I’ve applied for 3 LATERAL positions. I haven’t gotten a single interview. One of my coworkers thinks I might be being black balled. The thought never crossed my mind. Has anyone seen this happen here?
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Yes it happens and honestly I believe it is an encouraged management style.
Yes! The directors call each other when they know a team mate wants to move and they say "Please don't hire my person because I will loose my headcount and I won't be able to refill the spot!". Yes, they all work that way in the upper levels, unfortunately ... we are all "cogs" in a giant broken wheel...
I worked for Anthem for over 25 years and got riff'd, our Boss kept all the favorite people she liked. No matter how hard you work, it does not matter. If you are stuck at a job and want to go up, forget it. So best choice you have is to take your talent and go some place else where you are APPRECIATED!
@OP+1anJNTlL - blackballed. I got by passed twice for a non American contractor, made Anthem associate, cant compete with that Interviewed with a cute, young lassie, freshly off the street no health care experience. It's the sign of the times
Yes, I think blackballing is possible at Anthem. As a former employee for 11 years, I annoyed a Staff VP four years in by reporting that person to HR. Always had good reviews, raises, extra bonus my entire time, and my peers And customers generally liked my work. Never got to advance or move though after that incident. It took me years to finally get fed up with the nutty, toxic good ol boy nepotism-ic culture and leave.
I'm now at a company with a 9% 401k match, unlimited PTO, and Anthem health insurance that costs less than when I actually worked at Anthem (I went with Kaiser tho'). It's not perfect, but I learned there is life after Anthem.
I think the game now is a young inexpensive diversified workforce. Past contributions and Anthem specific knowledge means nothing now. Encountered similar issues trying to apply for internal positions. Now I am looking externally while waiting to be in the next group riffed since I am 50+.
I've heard of several instances where current managers give less than glowing reports to hiring managers when the employee in question is a high performer. The current managers don't want to lose their star performers. This could be your problem.
One other possibility is that they already know who they want for the position and are just doing other interviews for the sake of appearances.
I was able to move twice and got interview consistently when applying then the last year nothing. Yes I think something is up.
Eight years on one team is admirable. You may need to take a second look at how you are presenting yourself and your accomplishments. Language and content may mean different things in a new context.
Given the new leadership, anything is possible.