My experience at ABM Industries was deeply disappointing. Leadership feels disconnected from employees at every level, and the overall work environment is as toxic as it gets. There is a clear and ongoing disconnect between management and frontline staff, with decisions consistently appearing to prioritize the bottom line over people.
There is little to no meaningful effort to cultivate a positive or supportive workplace culture. When a previous HR Manager attempted to build engagement initiatives, they were told those efforts had to include everyone — despite not being given any budget to support them. As a result, employees were often paying out of pocket to make basic celebrations and morale-building efforts happen, which speaks volumes about leadership priorities.
Administrative staff are routinely expected to take on responsibilities belonging to other departments without additional compensation. When concerns are raised, direct supervisors often respond with, “That’s just how it is — I’ve been doing this for a decade,” rather than advocating for change. There is no meaningful support for admins when they are asked to perform work outside their scope or pay grade. Meanwhile, managers appear insulated from accountability, as leadership consistently protects one another from backlash.
There is also a noticeable pattern of favoritism, particularly toward employees whose families work in the field and toward those of Caucasian background. The lack of visible commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is concerning, and the divide within the workplace feels more apparent each day. Employees who do not fall within favored circles often feel overlooked and undervalued.
Overall, the lack of accountability, advocacy, cultural investment, and equitable treatment makes it difficult to recommend this organization to anyone seeking a healthy, transparent, and inclusive work environment specifically in the San Francisco office.
