Excellent people & culture, mediocre pay, OK projects
Pros
Atkins' strongest asset is, without doubt, its staff and working culture: both are very good, and high-quality work is always delivered to the client. Many colleagues are willing to ensure that projects are delivered to up to standard. Hours are flexible and there is a good work/life balance. Use of technology is good; the transition to WFH during the pandemic was fairly seamless, and I believe that the company's overall delivery has not suffered at all.
Cons
The biggest drawbacks relate to compensation and staff development. Pay is mediocre and bonuses are small/non-existent; promotion is extremely sluggish, and there are little opportunities for those with real ambition to make a mark. Productivity is king and up-skilling/self-investment are secondary. Projects are OK; I have not worked on anything that I've found particularly dull, but exciting work has been a rarity, and I've seldom fully engaged the creative/problem-solving part of my brain. Lateral movement across the various business divisions is also harder than it should be, and it is very easy to get stuck on a dead-end project.
