HIRED AS A CONTRACTOR - Project Manager Crystal Equation Employee Review

3.0
12 Jan 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It was easy to work for Crystal because they are located in Chicago, IL. and I was able to understand the recruiter. Starting pay was fair. My recruiter worked quickly to secure my position with a telecom provider. I was able to work remotely.

Cons

I never heard from my recruiter after I got the job. Only person I ever talked with was the admin person. I was told I could request a pay increase after 1 year of work and that was a lie. My request was denied and the only person I ever had contact with regarding a pay increase was the Admin Support person. I wasn't able to present my case for an increase in pay. As it was I was working OT without getting compensated because the client did not allow OT, yet the job required it frequently. They provide no holiday pay. They provide no paid vacation days, even after I'd been with them for a year. They do have a health plan and a 401k but don't offer any match on the 401k, so basically no paid benefits. Let me just say that I worked for TEK Systems in the past. TEK stayed in contact with their contractors on a monthly basis. I could call and talk to my recruiter whenever I needed. The recruiter got together with his contractors every other month and took us out for lunch and asked for feedback... how things were going.... any complaints, concerns etc. At Christmas we went out to lunch, received a card thanking us for all our work and a small present. I got paid holidays and vacation after a year of working for them. I got time and a half for overtime. TEK appreciated their contractors. I never got the feeling that Crystal Equation appreciated anything. When my contract was terminated by the client, they never even thanked me for all the work I did for them.

Explore other reviews about Crystal Equation

5.0
25 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The pay rate was great!

Cons

Contract extensions would have been nice.

2.0
16 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Remote work and good PTO

Cons

Management & Leadership: There are superior-subordinate relationships, creating unbalanced team dynamics. There are personal relationships in account management, which have visibly influenced how performance standards are applied, creating an uncomfortable and inequitable dynamic for the rest of the team. Accountability tends to flow downward rather than being shared at the leadership level, and feedback rarely makes its way up the chain. When issues arise, responsibility is often redirected rather than addressed by those in positions to make meaningful change. Benefits For a woman-owned company, the parental leave policy is surprisingly limited at only 8 weeks, making it a missed opportunity to lead by example in an area where it would matter most to its workforce. DEI The company publicly positions itself as a diverse and inclusive agency, but in practice, that identity appears to rest solely on its woman-owned certification. There are no visible DEI initiatives, programs, or commitments beyond that designation. Culture The culture feels surface-level and performative. There is a clear gap between how the company presents itself externally and the day-to-day experience employees actually have. What's promoted publicly doesn't consistently reflect the internal reality. Performance Standards The environment is notably PIP-heavy, with metrics that don't account for natural shifts in the job market. Expectations remain rigid regardless of external conditions, and there is a perceived inconsistency in how standards are applied with some employees appearing to receive preferential treatment based on personal relationships with management. Turnover is extremely high, and experienced recruiters are replaced rather than retained or developed. Growth opportunities are limited, promotions and raises have stopped completely since 2024 (with no promotions or raises are in sight). Ask Why People Don't Stay

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