Endless supply of work
Zero down time
No training provided
Constant state of stress
You will never be successful here unless you committ to at least 60-80 hrs a week. If they pickup that you're not into it, you will get put onto a PIP. I've seen it many times before.
The retention rate is amongst the worst I've ever seen. A year after I started, 10 new employees in New York alone had gone to other companies.
Everyday is a constant mental battle
It's very subtle but becomes noticeable over time
People are constantly making comments to make themselves look good at your expense
There is no support. You will have to learn "on your own time"
Constant negative feedback to push you, but never anything positive (I was a high performer and still)
Feels like you're in boot camp
Even as someone who performed constantly, I was never told "good job"
They will only focus on the things you could have done better
It's great to try and be hard on someone so they will be at their best and never be complacent, but after a while constant negative reinforcement weighs on you
BEWARE of "Unlimited" PTO
An absolute scam to give you the minimum amount of PTO as possible
By not having a set amount of days owed to you, employees can't argue that they need to use their days by year end
Employees must get every day approved and are often discouraged
Keep in mind, any time you are out of the office whether it be for a doctor appointment, sick, PTO, it makes you look bad
As a PM or Superintend, your responsibility is to work weekends and late night shift with the other PMs and Supers. The way it worked out for me on my projects was three out of 4 weeks in the month I was working at least one night a week or a weekend. And this does not include the overtime that they are expecting you to work consistently to finish your own work. This also does not include the volunteer hours that is required but is on top of all the other requirements I mentioned.
No WFH, ask at your own risk.
In fact as part of the Real Estate Round Table, John Fish (CEO) actually lobbied to the federal government that wfh was a "bad example" set by the federal government
If you are sick but feel like you can work, you either come into the office sick or take off.
We were told: "If you're well enough to WFH, then you're well enough to come in. Even if you're contagious it doesnt matter, COVID is over."
They're nice about it but in reality you know you will fall behind if you take off.. it's a trap
Volunteer hours
The company requires you to do a certain number of volunteer hours, ~20/30 per year. However, when you sign up for an event you have to check a box that says you will still be working your minimum 40 hrs in addition to the volunteering. So when you volunteer you're basically doing it on your own time. And you're responsible for any work missed.. on your own time. Another PR move by the company on an employee's dime.
Technology
Very much overstated at Suffolk. They use AI as a buzzword, but it is not something you see used on any projects. There are different tiers of computers that they can give you, but you have to earn them. There is a program they use called Revizto that is used on many projects. The problem is that the standard laptop they provide you with cannot run Revizto without freezing. Until you earn that good computer, you will be forced to run a program you need in the most painful and useless way. Most people at the company can hardly use Excel. The most "technological" part about Suffolk is that they provide some employees with iPads.
Beware of good reviews especially ones that say "Great Place to Work" this is basically Suffolk's slogan (and the name of their employee survey). Most people who work there are afraid to disagree with it. Employees are asked to submit positive reviews on GlassDoor...
Long story short if you're willing to work 80hrs a week and not focused on your family or health, Suffolk is the place for you. Otherwise don't even think about it.
