Jacobs reviews

Pay is only equitable for higher levels. Worker bees compensation is lacking and no incentives/bonuses are ever given. People without degrees/licenses are paid more than higher qualified individuals because of who they know/who hired them. Incompetent workers are allowed to draw a paycheck while sitting around playing on the Internet/iphones all day while the competent workers put in 12 hour+ days to complete required tasks. Management doesn't have the skills (strength) necessary to "clean house" because they avoid confrontation or are covering for their buddies, and they know that the more competent workers will get the job done because we are afraid of losing our jobs after being reminded over and over "at least you have a job!" Also, employees are tired of being told there is no money for raises, training, technology, etc., but you're spending millions in closing/consolidating/moving/renovating offices all across the US! How can it be financially beneficial to leave all equipment and furniture in old locations and buy all new? The open floor concept makes us feel like call center employees and does not give us the room to adequately perform our jobs. It's loud and chaotic. And, it's ridiculous to think an architecture/engineering firm can go PAPERLESS! The more change is implemented, the more I feel like somehow this is a big joke on the workers. I've never worked for a company that gives so few holidays either. Jacobs is a sweat shop for the competent!

Don't expect to grow within the company. Jacobs is awful at recognizing the talent they already have. They never seem to be done looking for new talent or new companies to acquire, but the talent they already have suffers for lack of guidance or development. They are also incredibly short-sighted. Decisions rarely go beyond the needs of the next big project. Time and again, people who are hired with verve find themselves with nothing to do and ultimately laid-off once the project they were hired for is completed. Again, it's possible you might come on for a three-year stint, and that's great. But more likely, you will be hired for a six month program and assigned to a manager who doesn't really see you as your whole skill set; just as the piece that fits the current puzzle. When the puzzle is finished, often, so are you. Also, management is rarely disciplined for their short-shortsightedness. They can hire and lay-off seemingly innumerable people with impunity. No one is ever pulled aside and required to qualify why they continue to staff their departments with the wrong people or why people who are hired for one job don't translate to others...we just keep hiring and firing. Management also doesn't seem to get much training. Engineering is especially rife with managers who have few people skills and even fewer leadership skills in positions of leadership. While I agree that someone who understands the functioning of a department is key to managing one, but there should be some sort of other qualification beyond having a degree in the desired area and having worked for several years in the industry.