Ok to build up your portfolio but never felt valued - Emerging Talent Recruiter Costain Employee Review

2.0
26 Oct 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I spent 2 years there, it was a good place to build up my portfolio after I pitched quite a few new ideas to Management and they allowed me to run with it. The events I proposed were a huge success and also partnering up with a recruitment app

Cons

Last few months turned sour after I raised a genuine grievance against a Manager in a different department, I felt isolated and backed in to a corner. Shortly after the Manager I raised a grievance against kept looking for issues which did not exist and kept complaining to my Manager, but to be honest, I started looking for a new role long before this started to happen. Costain promote mental wellbeing but actually don't follow through, it feels like the purpose is only to tick a few boxes. They were mentally torturing me and because I was the only BAME person in the department, I felt suffocated. Luckily I found a better opportunity and decided it was the perfect time to leave. I received no recognition of my hard work or even a thank you from my Manager for all my contribution, but I did not want to give a negative impression to all the people I had the pleasure of working with, therefore, took the initiative to send a mass email to all those I crossed paths with to thank them for a memorable time. I also took the initiative to send my Manager an email to thank her, but received a cold reply in return and instructions on where and who to drop the company equipment off to. In short, good place to expand your portfolio but not a good place to stay for a long time for mental wellbeing reasons, especially if you are a BAME person.

Explore other reviews about Costain

2.0
26 Aug 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

fantastic London office and incredible coffee machine

Cons

The company is disorganized. No one in the GIS team except a contractor knew SQL. Everyone on the team was severely underpaid.

avatar
Costain Response
8mo
Thank you for taking the time to write a review, we can see that you were with us for a long time. Whilst Costain recognise that pay is important and following the completion of a recent reward benchmarking project, we would hope to reflect more accurate market rates for roles. We are also currently undertaking a career path framework project which will offer all employees the ability to be recognised for their full potential.
2.0
15 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great working in projects, well managed and supported teams

Cons

Corporate functions are without strategy and with poor leadership

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