Gensler reviews

New executive management has hyperfocused on their own benefit to the detriment of the rest of the staff, who MUST be in-office or they're laid off in the next cycle no matter how strong their work is. Quality of work is irrelevant if they can't watch you working at your desk. They take attendance in large meetings for 20 minutes and when you leave and return to your desk are all logged by management, personally, who are watching you (not paranoia, this was a formally announced task). Gensler isn't all about people anymore, it's all about the people at the top.

-Lack of self awareness by leadership, when things go bad, leaders pass blame and shout down. -Employee happiness in the Chicago office is one of the lowest in the company. Other offices (with better portfolios) ask about the politics in Chicago all the time. -Instead of self reflection by leadership, they blame junior and untitled employees, knowing they have no voice to speak up. -Appointment process does not reflect client/ team input. Closed door appointment meetings reward those who kiss the ring of the principals, not the ones who are getting the work done while those same principals are absent from their projects. A lot of criticisms in this process are taken from people who do not work with you to position their recommended appointments higher. -Lack of mentorship/ advocacy. This is new. When I first started, we used to be great at this. Newly appointed Design/ Technical Directors do not provide mentorship to junior employees at all. -Pay at junior/ mid levels is not competitive, but billing is high. It all goes to the people at the top. If you want to make what the market demands, look elsewhere. -Long hours are expected, work life balance is not respected.