What's It Like to Work at Optum?

Updated on October 26, 2026

Optum Employee Perspectives

What defines a great employee experience at Optum?

A great employee experience starts with purpose. We want employees to understand how their work contributes to our mission of helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone. We strive to create an environment where people feel supported by their leaders, connected to their teams, respected for who they are and empowered to grow and do their best work. Our culture is grounded in our values of “Integrity,” “Compassion,” “Inclusion,” “Relationships,” “Innovation” and “Performance.”

 

How do you measure and act on employee feedback?

Employee feedback plays a critical role in how we shape the workplace experience. We gather insights through surveys, listening sessions and ongoing feedback channels, giving employees multiple opportunities to share their perspectives. Just as important, we focus on turning feedback into action. We use what we learn to identify priorities, strengthen leadership effectiveness, improve communication and enhance the employee experience at both the local and enterprise level. We believe listening is most meaningful when employees can see how their feedback informs change.

 

What cultural values or rituals make your workplace unique?

Our culture is built around a shared mission and a common set of values that guide how we work together and serve others. What makes our workplace unique is the emphasis we place on connection, listening, recognition and service. Across the organization, employees engage in opportunities to learn, collaborate, give back to their communities, share feedback and recognize one another’s contributions. These experiences help bring our values to life and reinforce a culture centered on purpose, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Stephanie Murphy
Stephanie Murphy, Vice President, Culture and Experience at UHG

Optum Employee Reviews

Many companies have a standard 8-hour day, but we don’t. Optum is a global company, so we recognize that working hours are different for everyone depending on their situation. Optum has implemented flexible working policies that allow employees to work from home in addition to the traditional office setting with virtual tools to support everyone. 

Rachel, Chief of Staff
Rachel, Chief of Staff

The company gives us many opportunities for learning as well as support in finding new innovative ways to tackle problems.

Bradley, Enterprise Architect
Bradley, Enterprise Architect

Since joining Optum, I’ve grown from engineering manager to senior manager, leading diverse teams and expanding my leadership skills. Continuous training, mentorship and a clear advancement path have supported that growth.

Anurag, Senior Software Engineering Manager
Anurag, Senior Software Engineering Manager

I’ve problem-solved across many areas: in retail, finance and networking. But here, they are actually applying AI to build something which can help people in their most distressed moment. That sense of purpose is the main reason I joined.

Achala, Senior Director and AI Architect
Achala, Senior Director and AI Architect

One of the things I like most about working for Optum is my team. I help my colleagues solve their problems, and respond with a positive attitude to those who reach out. My goal is for anyone at Optum to feel comfortable reaching out to me if they need help. Our team spirit comes from the top down, my leadership is supportive and encouraging.

Katherine, Software Engineer
Katherine, Software Engineer

What People Are Saying About Optum

  • Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance is considered a relative strength in some areas, with remote or hybrid options and schedule flexibility available depending on the role. Feedback suggests actual flexibility is team- and position-dependent.
  • Mission & Purpose: Mission-driven work in healthcare, technology, and operations is often viewed as meaningful because it can influence patient care and system outcomes. Feedback suggests this sense of purpose is a notable motivator across multiple job families.
  • Team Support: Colleagues are often seen as supportive and collaborative, with strong peer camaraderie helping day-to-day work feel manageable. Feedback suggests immediate teams can provide a positive culture even when broader organizational dynamics are complex.