Allegations and Colliers - Planner Ethos Urban Employee Review

Nothing that is worth mentioning

Office culture (at least in Sydney) is characterised by bullying, drug use, and sexual misconduct. Directors will use more junior staff as their personal drug suppliers. Junior staff will backstab each other and say horrible things behind one another’s back in the name of “healthy competition”. Multiple cases of sexual harassment and indecent assault which, despite being reported to HR, seem to be behaviour worth rewarding. If you are a female staff member, never ever let yourself be alone in a room with a male director. Make up an excuse if you have to. Male staff will get promoted because they are chummy with directors rather than based on merit. Female staff are expected to do the grunt work. Salaries are extremely poor with no bonus system at all. Despite this, staff are expected to work nights and weekends and if you don’t, you’re not chipping in. Management/director cohort are socially inept and unqualified to be in people management roles. Not an MBA in sight. If something doesn't go according to plan on a project, directors will throw their staff members under the bus in client meetings to take the blame and avoid their own accountability. The ESG and RAP policies are all a marketing/optics exercise in an effort to appear like a socially responsible organisation. They can’t retain their existing staff and can’t seem to hire new staff, which should tell you everything you need to know about Ethos Urban.

I’m sick of these reviews grossly misrepresenting the culture at Ethos Urban, so it’s time to set the record straight. Ethos Urban’s culture is not “characterised by bullying, drug use, and sexual misconduct.” In all my years at Ethos Urban, the worst that I have witnessed personally is the odd drunken overreach. I have also heard of two parties (not official functions) where there apparently was drug use, but didn’t witness this personally. Obviously any inappropriate behaviour should be dealt with accordingly. But I’d say that the level and frequency of inappropriate behaviour at Ethos Urban is fairly typical of any company that hires, you know, people. As for bullying, I have never witnessed that. Ever. But have heard of some “mean girl” type behaviour which I believe has been addressed. Sometimes staff have to work a bit late, and I’ve personally worked a few weekends over the years. But, like, toughen up, snowflakes. That’s consulting life. Rant over.

It’s hard work, and if you don’t like it, go work for a council.