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Excellent people & culture, mediocre pay, OK projects - Engineer Atkins Employee Review

3.0
Nov 18, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

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.

Explore other reviews about Atkins

5.0
Oct 13, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

A lot of work to be done Many opportunities to try different things

Cons

Advancement can be hard Working alongside underperformers

2.0
Nov 17, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Job and a paycheck but in a house of cards.

Cons

Wow, be careful! Atkins North America was acquired when Atkins in London bought a notorious US engineering based in Florida, PBS&J (Post, Buckley, Shuh and Jernigan). I didn't do enough research when hired and found out too late I was working for a company that has been prosecuted multiple times for serious illegalities, and some of the executives who participated but escaped prosecution are still there! PBS&J has been indicted for bribing government officials, illegal campaign contributions, and was a private company put on the chopping blocks to sell for being so poorly managed when several of the employees embezzled millions upon millions of dollars. As recent as 2016 the company was struggling financially because of legal costs and fines to the extent the focus became finishing out existing contracts rather than procuring new ones...an indicator they do not want new business and are likely to chop off the US engineering wing and spin those employees out to another company. Do your research before accepting a job there, the good old boy network that didn't previously get caught or prosecuted in the illegalities is still working there, and they haven't changed much in being secretive about what they are doing!! Get everything in writing as they are all about the bait and switch.

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