After having been an employee of Ayco for 7+ years and leaving the firm over a year ago, I felt it was time to give an honest review for anyone looking.
FACT: The company changed to a purely numbers driven business. It used to be about building culture and a healthy work environment but it is like that no more. Management picks up on the hard workers and lays on more responsibilities with no extra pay. They promise the pay but always delay it... keep that carrot dangling in front of you. Personally, I got "promoted" twice, with no pay raise with the promise of raises or bonuses but all I received was plenty more responsibility.
FACT: The company has a compensation issue. What compensation? Exactly. They fail to compensate. They say, for the area, you make very good money and that's how they address the issue.
FACT: Hard work will get you ahead; I will not deny that. But kissing up to management and being lazy will get you promoted. The management at Ayco does not want to address the real issues. They'd rather speak to everyone as a whole and not do the job of managing people.
What keeps people from leaving Ayco? The camaraderie of your co-workers. The fear that if you leave, you're not going to find something better. They tell you the grass always appears greener on the other side and give you excuses why it appears better at other companies. For all current employees, I'll tell you that's true. But I'll also tell you the grass really is greener on the other side. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and make the jump! Take a risk. It's worth it!
Do something that makes a difference. Do something that makes you happy. FACTS ARE FACTS. My life has become a heck of a lot better since I left Ayco.