I have been at CH2M HILL for over 12 years. I was once proud to work at CH2M HILL and planned to stay here until I retire. This used to be a great company to work for. Now I can't wait to leave. My co-workers kept me here but now I am aggressively looking at other opportunities. This review is critical, but as an employee for 12 years, I know what this company used to be. It pains me to see the fall since I remember what CH2M was like.
The company has been destroyed by the former CEO (Lee McIntire) and the greed of senior management. The new CEO is trying to save things but there is no going back. The company is cheap about everything and only interest is to protect the share price. Employee health care costs significantly increase every year. Administrative support including IT and HR is a complete joke because they work with bare bone budgets. Meanwhile, senior level executives are getting huge bonuses and "retirement packages."
There is little to no funding for training or any support for employees. You must be 100% billable, which means you have to take on extra work just to make sure you get your 40 hours. Light on work? No support and must use your vacation time to get to 40. Want to get involved in business development? You must donate your time. Want to attend a conference or training? You must donate your time. I have already donated so much time to this company without being paid. It is amazing they haven't been sued by someone. The most hilarious thing was that we were required to take a training about proper/legal timesheet charging, but yet it was unpaid training. Oh the irony of that.
Everyone I have talked to that is not a senior PM is looking to leave. Of the 12 people in my immediate group 3 years ago, 7 have left. The other 5, including myself, are trying to leave. No matter how hard you work you will now never get a raise higher than 3%, but the raise isn't even a raise since the health care costs have gone up so much so any increase goes toward higher health care premiums. Where is the incentive to work hard? Meanwhile, senior PMs with their bogus salaries routinely get 10% PLUS a bonus. If you aren't a senior PM in this company you are just a number. You are completely replaceable and do no matter and that is total vibe from everyone.
Work-life balance? There is none. You are expected to do whatever it takes to get projects done on time and within budget (including donating time - again, it's a matter of time before the company is sued). If you don't, it is not reflected well by senior PMs and you won't get future work. When there is no work you are expected to go unpaid or use your vacation time. So basically go all out for the company to keep your job, but when you need support from the company there is none and you have use your vacation time.
I am telling junior staff they must get into the project management track. In the technical track you are just another employee that can be pushed around and treated that you are completely replaceable.
I highly recommend any candidates not to get involved in this sinking ship. I feel sorry for the new hires thinking that they are joining the "old" CH2M HILL that was once a great company. Sorry. a once great company was destroyed by greed and the desire to cut everything possible to protect an over-valued share price. This company is nothing like it was 5 years ago, and many know it will never go back, which means people are leaving the first chance they can. Hopefully my day is soon.
