Sexist Boy's Club - Anonymous employee Hensel Phelps Employee Review

2.0
Mar 15, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Employee owned company. Good benefits once (if) you reach the project engineer level. Until you reach the project engineer level, pay and benefits are just so-so. Great 401k contribution.

Cons

This is a good ol' boys club. If you're a women, you will not be promoted as quickly, or at all. Women are treated with respect to their face, but your growth within the company will be stagnant. Favoritism is a big problem - if you know the right people, you will be protected and promoted quickly. Hensel Phelps is looking for type A personalities - a more easy going, laid back, thoughtful, helpful personality is not seen as valuable. Hours are long, weekend work is expected. Good luck if you have a family and want to spend time with them. Little interaction from project management, there is a sink or swim mentality. Lots of young and inexperienced superintendents; all the knowledgeable, experienced superintendents are leaving or retiring.

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Hensel Phelps Response
8y
We thank you for your candid review and are disappointed that someone at Hensel Phelps might have this perspective. According to NAWIC, in 2017, women made up only 13% of the construction sector workforce and only 2% of those workers are on-site. At Hensel Phelps, 15.6% of our employees are female. Our Code of Conduct and EEOC training are required for all employees on an annual basis and are to be enforced at the job sites. We are aware that not all personalities mesh well and sometimes working through problems with co-workers can test one’s resolve. However, we encourage you to talk to other females in management (Project Managers, Superintendents, and Operations Managers) to obtain feedback and guidance about managing your career and advise you about whether the difficulties you are facing have to do with the industry or are specific to your situation. We also encourage participation in the Hensel Phelps WNET (Women’s Network), a collaborative and supportive group that is meant to empower women within the company. We strongly suggest you consider scheduling a discussion with your supervisor and/or other individuals you fully trust to share these strong feelings and to put positive energy toward a solution!

Explore other reviews about Hensel Phelps

5.0
Jul 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong values & great managers.

Cons

Work load can get heavy and you may relocate.

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Hensel Phelps Response
5d
Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of our strong values and supportive leadership. We also understand that the demands of the construction industry can sometimes create heavy workloads and relocation opportunities. We value your feedback and wish you continued success in your career.
1.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Gained valuable experience working on large, fast-paced projects that helped me grow technically and professionally. I had the opportunity to learn about field operations, coordination, documentation, safety, and how major projects are managed day to day. There were also several hardworking and knowledgeable people I worked with, especially in the field, who took pride in their work and helped me learn. The experience challenged me and gave me skills that I will carry forward in my career.

Cons

One example that stood out was seeing jobsite resources used in a way that felt inappropriate. During a period when field employees were working 12+ hour days in extreme summer heat, it was observed ice from the jobsite ice machine being used to fill a cooler of beer. That created a perception that leadership priorities were disconnected from the needs of the field. Compensation fairness was another concern. In some cases, it appeared that new hires were starting at higher salaries than employees who had been with the company longer and had more experience. That created frustration and made it feel like loyalty, performance, and field experience were not always valued or rewarded fairly. There were also concerns about inconsistent accountability and the perception of favoritism. At times, it appeared that company policies were not enforced consistently across employees, which hurt trust and morale. Employees were left with the impression that personal relationships with senior supervisors could influence how situations were handled.

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Hensel Phelps Response
5d
Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of the learning opportunities and support you received during your time with us. We also value your candid input regarding leadership, employee support, and workplace culture. Feedback like yours helps us identify opportunities for improvement as we strive to foster a respectful, fair, and accountable work environment. We wish you success in your future endeavors and thank you for your contributions to Hensel Phelps.
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