Top-heavy, nepotistic management and underutilized staff
Pros
I had the opportunity to work with talented colleagues in my 8 years at VHB (formerly Eng-Wong, Taub & Associates). The benefits and work-life balance at the Newark office were decent to above-average. My manager really did not bother me as long as I did my job. In looking back, he was probably too busy locked in his office for most of the day to care and was could not be bothered to talk so he can leave the office at 4:30 on the dot. I attended external training sessions but my manager did not utilize the skills I acquired and was more focused in assigning tasks to his friend's daughter, whom he hired to work at the firm.
Cons
The Newark office has been a haven for nepotism going back to its Eng-Wong, Taub days. Numerous employees were hired because of their connections to management. Choice projects were also assigned to these hires despite still being in their adjustment period. As mentioned previously, my manager (former owner) was too busy locked in his office for hours doing God knows what, to have a conversation on whatever project I was assigned. Towards the latter part of my career at VHB, I had to reach out to clients to provide projects for me to work on which was my manager few remaining responsibilities since selling his firm to VHB. He further showed his unprofessionalism when he stopped speaking to me after I gave my two-week notice when I found another job. I was able to express my frustrations and reasons for leaving at my exit interview with HR but I doubt it was addressed due to the pervasive bureaucracy at the firm.
