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Harrell Design Group

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Worst place to work at - Anonymous employee Harrell Design Group Employee Review

1.0
14 Nov 2024
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are no pros, seriously.

Cons

Working at this company has been detrimental to quality of life and human values. The toxic culture starts at the top, with a CEO whose bullying tactics are nothing short of alarming. He frequently curses and yells at employees, creating a hostile atmosphere that leaves many feeling belittled and demoralized. His behavior is highly unprofessional and outright illegal. The CEO's narcissistic personality shines through in every interaction, CLIENTS INCLUDED. He mandates that all decisions go through him, yet he makes himself virtually inaccessible for questions or clarifications. When "mistakes" happen—often due to his lack of clear communication—he is quick to redirect blame and yell at employees, leaving them in tears and highly upset by his behavior. Rules in the employee handbook seem to apply only when it suits him. He regularly breaks these rules himself and allows others to do the same, fostering an environment where respect, safety, and accountability are nonexistent. His "right hands" do the same. His manipulation extends to stripping duties from qualified employees, taking on tasks he is unqualified for, simply because he feels threatened by those who are more competent—especially women. Additionally, the workplace culture is rife with sexism, with some male employees feeling empowered to harass their female colleagues. The CEO turns a blind eye to this behavior, which only perpetuates the toxic environment. If you're considering employment here, heed the warnings in the reviews—especially those that seem suspiciously positive. The few positive remarks appear to be coerced from employees who fear retaliation. This is not a healthy place to work, there is absolutely no room for growth here; prioritize your well-being and seek opportunities elsewhere. If I could leave ZERO stars, I would.

Explore other reviews about Harrell Design Group

5.0
8 Feb 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

HDG stands out as a firm that truly offers a collaborative, multidiscipline approach to architecture and engineering. Most firms *say* they are collaborative, but HDG integrates each discipline into the design process. At typical firms where architecture comes first, then engineering follows, everyone is forced to redraws their work multiple times. Conversely, HDG encourages all disciplines to work together, in a unified way, to promote efficiency and expediency, which translates into higher salaries, better bonuses, and great benefits to the employees. Having worked at many firms, I can attest that HDG's approach is advanced, cutting edge, and very sensible.

Cons

HDG's collaborative approach is not for everyone. People with inflated egos either quit quickly or decide to learn to grow at HDG into more mature, well-rounded professionals. There is an acclimation period at HDG because most employees' previous firms and not as interdisciplinary as HDG.

1.0
4 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The project types were the primary positive aspect of my experience. As a Mechanical Engineer, I found the healthcare and VA projects technically challenging and valuable from a professional development standpoint.

Cons

My experience at Harrell Design Group was overwhelmingly negative, and I would not recommend the company to prospective employees. The workplace culture was highly stressful and, in my opinion, toxic. Leadership frequently communicated in a disrespectful and confrontational manner, creating an environment where employees often felt undervalued rather than supported. Professional disagreements were not always handled constructively, and respectful communication from management was lacking. Employee morale appeared to be low, and turnover seemed unusually high. Based on my experience, it was difficult for employees to remain with the company long-term without enduring significant pressure, criticism, and a lack of professional respect. Rather than fostering collaboration, mentorship, and growth, the culture often felt driven by fear and micromanagement. A healthy workplace should encourage professionalism, mutual respect, and open communication. Unfortunately, I did not find those qualities to be present during my time there. For that reason, I cannot recommend Harrell Design Group as an employer.

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