Awful hours, No support, Pay to get Promoted - Project Manager GHD Employee Review

1.0
4 Oct 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Benefits are okay, PTO accrues quickly if you negotiated well, however work/life balance doesn't allow you to use any of it.

Cons

GHD Australia should sell GHD NA. The office I was in didn't function efficiently at all. The Principal was sexist and clearly did not know anything about the environmental industry or how to manage people. We weren't paid enough and the men in the office were paid higher. I was a supervisor and had no control on how my employees were paid or rewarded. The Principal in that office also loved to reward mediocrity, especially in white men. If you say "EHS" or "waste" a lot, he'll just assume you know what your'e talking about even when you don't. Multiple clients have said they do not want him involved in their accounts at all. Several reports have been made to HR regarding his behavior yet he hasn't been fired or reprimanded at all. In order to move up in GHD, you have to continuously buy more shares because the company is "employee owned." They normally offer you between 5K-6K shares for your first time, which amounts to over $10,000. If you don't have the money to pay for it, don't worry, GHD will help you finance with a lender they've already set up. Once you buy shares, you'll be asked to buy more and more, eventually going into substantial debt. I was told in order to become associate, you have to buy shares and KEEP buying shares.

Explore other reviews about GHD

5.0
28 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Evolving with the times to best serve client needs. Investing in employee learning. Attracting high caliber talent.

Cons

Change can feel disruptive for some, but GHD is on a disciplined journey.

4.0
19 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great starting point as an internship, gives you good experience to the professional and consulting world, pay for an engineering intern is satisfactory. Values of the company and support from coworkers is appreciated. Seems to be a psychologically safe place to work and make mistakes. No noticeable workplace toxicity or politics. Everyone seems to be authentic and chill. Not noticing anyone keeping their heads down and received reports of satisfaction with work environment from coworkers. Exposure to a variety of projects, including field work experiences. Seems to be a solid resume builder.

Cons

Need to be pretty proactive for work. For me who enjoys having work to do, its kind of stressful. You have to take initiative in making your own plan. For someone who thrives in structure and needs a bit of help in planning, this is a struggle. Limited flexibility in doing a hybrid role (even though job description stated it was when I applied) For someone who is 42 mi from the office and with heavy traffic takes 1h 15 min to reach the office, its a struggle. But I understood that my commute time is longer than average when I took the position.

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