Worst experience in my design career at San Jose office - Job Captain Gensler Employee Review

1.0
5 Feb 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good staff. Developed a strong bond with general staff who are in the same boat (overworked & under-paid) to mock the sub-par upper management.

Cons

Leadership cares zero for the well-being of their employees and 100% on how much profit they make. This place is nothing more than a sweatshop in silicon valley that stamps out mediocre office design.

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Gensler Response
8y
Thanks for taking a moment to share feedback on your experience at Gensler. We are sorry that your time with the firm did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your strong appraisal of our practitioners and wholeheartedly agree that our people are our strongest asset. We respect your candor, though disagree with your overall assessment of our firm and our San Jose office. All Gensler offices are committed to enriching the human experience through the power of design, and we seek to fulfill this mission by hiring the design industry’s top talent and providing them with the tools they need to grow and thrive. In terms of compensation, Gensler offers a salary and benefits package that is competitive with the market and includes twice-annual bonuses, profit-sharing, and an employee stock ownership plan. Thanks again for the feedback, and we wish you the best of luck in all future endeavors.

Explore other reviews about Gensler

5.0
3 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work-life balance and flexible scheduling. Supportive team environment with opportunities to learn new technologies. Management is generally approachable and benefits are competitive.

Cons

Internal processes can be slow and bureaucratic at times. Career advancement opportunities are limited without clear timelines. Communication between departments could be improved significantly.

1.0
29 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice office, lots of “rah rah Gensler” events with food & booze, some nice people

Cons

Where do I start…..some studios are TOXIC. Favoritism permeates every aspect of working here. It’s nauseating. There is zero loyalty, zero recognition for hard work (yeah you get a bonus but sometimes a kind word is needed). Oh-and never ever express an opinion that may be in opposition to “leadership’s”. Your private life, beliefs, politics and other personal things are fair game for letting you go. I’ve seen it happen-fired because someone expresses in a private conversation that one has ethical concerns regarding projects that are in the office (but in another studio/office) will get you fired. They will make up some bs about “work performance”, yet no conversation ever with anyone about “needing improvement “. Out of left field. Bye bye. Management tells leadership that they’d already “warned” the person-completely untrue. Hear later it was likely due to having concerns about a client/project. Lesson learned-shut up, work 12 hrs a day and be happy with the scraps you’re thrown. Also-egos galore! Unwillingness to take accountability for mistakes.

3
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