Chicago's Billion Dollar Biz Lacks Basic Human Kindness - Client Care Coldwell Banker Employee Review

1.0
Apr 8, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Money is stable. Insurance is decent. Intermittent perks like office lunches.

Cons

Turnover rate is more than one employee per month. In a company of less than twenty, that's absolutely horrendous. An experience I wouldn't wish upon anyone—but you truly have to see to believe. Jenny Ames is over-stressed and under-considerate, making unreasonable last-minute demands on her agents and office staff. She changes her mind frequently without "owning it," and prefers to blame instead of admit. Always, always, always behind on deadlines. Verbal attacks are common, which creates a shaky and emotionally unsafe workplace. I overheard her several times suggesting agents who couldn't bend to her "standards" should look for work somewhere else. Jenny preaches "togetherness" and "fun" but practices blatant "me and my priorities first" attitude. The day's schedule is subject to her current "crisis," which in reality is rarely a crisis. For being the face of the company, she does very little service and selling. (And does an awful lot of criticizing, analyzing, and butt-riding.) I did not feel safe, welcome, or appreciated in her presence.

Explore other reviews about Coldwell Banker

5.0
Apr 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Recognition due to the name

Cons

Although we are independent contractors,the broker continues to micromanage and it’s unbelievable how much money they take from our commissions.

2.0
Mar 30, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Coldwell Banker has a recognizable, legacy brand and there are many talented, dedicated employees who genuinely care about their work. Teams are often collaborative, and there are opportunities to work on large-scale, high-visibility initiatives. From the outside, the company presents itself well and has strong brand positioning in the market.

Cons

There is a significant disconnect between leadership messaging and the actual employee experience. The handling of recent layoffs was particularly disappointing—high-performing employees were let go with little transparency, and the communication around it felt impersonal and overly scripted. For a company that frequently speaks about valuing people, the actions did not reflect that. Morale has taken a hit as a result, and trust in leadership has been impacted. Workloads can be heavy, and expectations remain high even as teams are reduced, without meaningful acknowledgment or support. There is also a tendency to prioritize optics over substance, especially in communications, which can feel frustrating for those doing the work behind the scenes.

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