Robert Walters reviews

3.7

75% would recommend to a friend

(2,295 total reviews)
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Toby Fowlston

80% approve of CEO

55% positive business outlook

Robert Walters has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 2,295 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Robert Walters employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Recursos humanos industry (3.8 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
1.0
Dec 4, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Fresh Fruit, Coffee Machine (free to use), Good Location

Cons

When the pandemic hit things hit rock bottom, they were ‘ok’ before this event. It was so obvious how the company went about things, targeting groups of people month on month. To onlookers this targeted approach was very obviously measured and personal. “Let’s attack them as individuals or small groups (less than 20) so we can avoid announcing this to the government and market”. “If we wipe out Team Leaders and Account Managers then Account Directors and Client Service Directors will be safe”. Worked like a dream, a shield of protection was put around certain individuals, there is a cult at the AD/CSD level that is exclusive to members only. As a result of maintaining this cult Team Leaders and Account Managers were picked off like wounded soldiers on the battlefield. The Personnel team managed this as best they could but difficult questions were often greeted with silence by them and they would ask a cult member to join the exit call. If you have no other employment options and need to join RS hold your breath for the first 2 years because if the market sneezes you will very politely, and very discreetly, be asked to use the exit door for the final time. Please don’t expect a goodbye, thank you or directions to the door, just find it and leave. If, however, you can get into the cult then well played, you’ve made a great career choice, you’ll be able to get out your pipe and slippers and relax, you’ve got a job for life but will witness those reporting to you getting slaughtered as often as is required for your own protection. It’s a “would never return or recommend” from me.

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Robert Walters Response
5y
Hello, and thank you for your candid review of working with us. This past year has been challenging and upsetting for everyone, and business leaders have had to make some tough and unpopular decisions to ensure their businesses remain viable, and that they can safeguard as many jobs as possible. My team and I - and, indeed, our entire Global Leadership Team (GLT) - pride ourselves on having the utmost respect for our people. If, in the midst of the unprecedented disruptions caused by the pandemic, we didn't meet the high standards we aspire to, I regret that. However, I do not recognise any of the assertions you make about certain roles and people being 'protected'. That is simply not the case, and our decisions were based on what was best for our business at the time. I understand that objective decisions can sometimes seem subjective and biased to those most affected by them, but all I can offer is my assurances that they were not. Regardless, I regret that your experience of leaving us was not as positive as either you or I would have hoped. I do wish you the very best with your onward career journey. Many thanks, Kirsty Adams (Global HR Director, Resource Solutions)
2.0
May 19, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good place to kick-start career if you have little to no experience. Clear growth trajectory and good training for new starters.

Cons

Poor work/life balance - Employees are expected to work overtime regularly, come in early and stay late. There's no flexibility when it comes to hours and you will face resistance when taking sick time or WFH (in regular times, employees often come into the office sick due to this). Little understanding for employees with long commutes, special circumstances, outside commitments, etc. Considering the office is based in SF, there are many other comparable companies with much better work/life culture. Very KPI driven - High pressure and competitive environment (it’s a sales role), although this is to be expected in an agency setting such as this. Inexperienced management - Most managers have worked their way up in the business and have no outside experience. Not very understanding and at times can be unprofessional. Need to invest more here and train managers in good HR practices. Outdated technology - Workflow is slowed down because of regular tech issues and lack of support. Internal software is dated and difficult to use.

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Robert Walters Response
6y
Thanks for your review. I appreciate you being so thorough in your feedback, even if I was disappointed to read much of it. First, I take on board your point about our technology/systems, and I can assure you that we are working on this and that it’s a top priority for the business. Second, you’re right – this is a commercial environment and every member of our team needs to be a high performer, but I also think we reward that hard work with trust, autonomy and as much flexibility as we can. And I’m personally very proud that we’re able to offer our staff a path to management — that’s why we’ve partnered with a market-leading management training firm to develop our managers and ensure we always follow HR best practices. That said, I would never endorse any action by any manager that put the health and wellbeing of our people at risk. I really value the culture we’ve built here, and I want every member of our team to get the support that he/she needs. I’d appreciate the chance to speak to you privately and get some further details about your experience – in complete confidence, of course. Please feel free to email me and we can set something up. Thanks, Simon Bromwell Managing Director – North America
1.0
Jul 27, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

PTO Snacks & refreshments Laid Back environment

Cons

Some of the staff treat the admins as if they are maids Recruiters and other staff can be rude at times as well. Discrimination Salary is below average for an admin in NYC.

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Robert Walters Response
7y
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’ve worked really hard to build a strong team culture that’s based on colleagues’ mutual support and respect so I’m really disappointed to hear that this wasn’t your experience. We want our people to stay with us for the long-term – it helps us to maintain a high standard of service to our clients and candidates, and it strengthens and develops our work culture. I’m really sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy your time working with us, and I’d really appreciate the opportunity to discuss the issues you’ve raised further. Please feel free to reach out to me in confidence at janet.alden-rahi@robertwalters.com. Thanks, Janet Alden-Rahi, Human Resources Manager - US & Canada.
Viewing 34 - 36 of 2,295 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,857 Robert Walters reviews submitted anonymously by Robert Walters employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Robert Walters is right for you.