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Arizona State University

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Not bad if you land with a great department - Anonymous employee Arizona State University Employee Review

3.0
May 23, 2022
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

State benefits are great, nothing compares...but then, you can get the same benefits in other state departments (I worked in other state departments). The specific noteworthy benefits that ASU offers are tuition waiver/reduction. If you get the right area, the workplace culture can be beneficial.

Cons

Each individual department has their own culture and management. The environment allows anyone in a management position to abuse their position be it control, abuse, lack of work...etc. I have worked in SEVERAL departments and have only had one director/manager that was great and an example of how the rest of ASU should function. There is an obscene amount of office politics. If you do not kiss butts your not getting anywhere. Additionally, others that treat fellow workers/employees like crap are never punshied or talked to (depending on the office). I personally had a serious allegation I brought up and it was brushed under the rug since the individual is high up in administration. That was the straw the made me leave after so long. The quality of management has significantly declined. I wish there were a cohesive way to ensure employee rights are not infringed on. The hard part about working at ASU is that it really depends on who you encounter. Not every department is is same. There are a bad bunch of employees that set the stage for the rest and the good ones are pushed out either through treatment or pay.

Explore other reviews about Arizona State University

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
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Pros

Good research environment and great teachers

Cons

Long hours working on research

2.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
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Pros

Competitive pay for some positions, some great colleagues.

Cons

The "culture" in some non academic departments is incredibly toxic. Employees often see others as competitors and some will try to throw others under the bus to avoid being in trouble from senior leaders. It is slow to get any work done if you need upper admin approval and often time work that you have created and completed is thrown away and never looked at again. Personalities of some administrators is very fake and friendly, when they will cut you with no regard or thoughts. The senior administrators of ASU act in a cult like manner and tightly control many goals, works, etc. You will most often have little to no freedom to accomplish the goals that you know would be best for your department because you spend an inordinate amount of time on projects deemed important to senior leaders, that have little to no impact but padding a report for someone in Fulton. Culture is extremely toxic in many areas, and senior leaders refuse to listen to those serving and trying to provide feedback. There is heavy turnover in many areas, while adminstrators turn a blind eye to it and chalk it up to "normal" turnover. Many mid level managers end up sick, stressed, seeking new employment, or taking FMLA to try to deal with the stress and trauma. You will have little opportunity for advancement unless you move departments regularly, or by hunkering down to be a lackey. Routinely expect last minute requirements and expectations, budget cuts without notice, and little to no professional development or support. Depending on the area you may also deal with difficult students/parents who are not held accountable for their actions.

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