Jacobs reviews

4.0

81% would recommend to a friend

(7,755 total reviews)
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Bob Pragada

90% approve of CEO

69% positive business outlook

Jacobs has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 7,755 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Jacobs employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Servicios de construcción, reparación y mantenimiento industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

8K reviews
3.0
Feb 12, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Large company involved in many different industries and projects. There are opportunities to gain different skill sets, rather than be pigeon-holed in a smaller company. The company is moving in the right direction and although sometimes frustrating, changes are being seen when integrating the many acquisitions it has made over the past few years. The company has a good ethos and a sound moral foundation, although these are not always remembered be middle management. The flexible working scheme which incudes a 9-day fortnight can be seen as a positive if this is something you haven't experienced before.

Cons

Being American run, the do expect every drop of blood out of you. There is a long hours culture which is engrained over the facade of a work-life balance ideal. The recent company-wide salary freeze, whilst seeing like a prudent step, is sickening when employees are continually being told how Jacobs are generating record turnover and profits quarter on quarter, year on year. The company can also be very disjointed between offices and only senior management having contact with other Jacobs’s businesses. Training is also thin on the ground and they are very reluctant to send people on external courses. Internal courses are of questionable technical value and are usually statutory training.

1.0
Feb 7, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are offices all over the world

Cons

They seem to buy up companies with out a clear picture of what to do with them unless that picture is simply to take projects that existed prior to their takeover and giving them to other Jacobs employees, while laying off those who won the projects originally. They make you sign off on their safety policies, but then (at least in my office) they tell you to do things against those policies. I imagine this must keep liability at a minimum.

3.0
Jan 22, 2009
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Jacobs salaries seem to be in line with similar companies and they do not seem to be afraid to spend in certain areas to get desired results. Work environment is comfortable and this particular office has a good mix of personalities so as a whole the office gets along well, making it a comfortable place to stay. While layoffs are a concern, management makes every effort to offer to transfer employees who are in danger of being laid off to other Jacobs locations so that they can keep their benefits intact. Safety is a huge concern at Jacobs, so one can feel comfortable knowing that they will be working in a safe environment, and that safety concerns will be heard and corrected.

Cons

The company is not afraid to lay off people, and at times it can be sudden. Recent layoffs make job security a concern, with long-tenured employees being let go as well as new arrivals, so you don't feel truly safe if business takes a downturn despite what you may have done in the past. Communication can dry up at times when it gets to the lower levels, as management seems to be in constant contact with daily morning meetings, but often it ends there. Medical and dental plans are average at best. The company, despite attempts to hire diversely, still comes off old, white, and male.

Viewing 7714 - 7716 of 7,755 Reviews

Glassdoor has 8,795 Jacobs reviews submitted anonymously by Jacobs employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Jacobs is right for you.