Gensler SF Review - Technical Designer Gensler Employee Review

3.0
27 Sept 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- the people - studio culture - easy collaboration with project managers - the office location - the vendor parties, studio parties + events happening throughout the day

Cons

- very strict about hitting your 40 billable hours per week - Gensler SF doesn't invest in education resources for employees - constantly scheduling meetings + efforts where employees are asked to "donate" time - no paid sick leave (it's wrapped into PTO, and then all employees come in sick and get everyone else sick, so they can save PTO for vacation) - lots of expected pro bono work + no payment (when your volunteering makes a splash - Gensler will claim credit with no fiscal support) - workplace looks like it's stuck in the 90s

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Gensler Response
9y
Thank you for the feedback on your experience at Gensler. We value all the feedback we receive and plan to share your comments with the firm’s leadership. In addition, your local HR representative is always available to discuss specific concerns; we welcome open dialogues with team members. Thanks for singling out Gensler’s people and its culture. We wholeheartedly agree that our people are one of the firm’s greatest assets and that our one firm-firm culture facilitates easy collaboration between designers, project managers, and other team members. The firm is also very proud of the fact that Building Design + Construction magazine ranked Gensler as the number one Green Building firm in its 2016 Giants 300 Report, an accolade that exemplifies our ongoing commitment to sustainable architecture and design. Thanks again for your comments. We will continue to strive to enhance the experience of every team member at Gensler.

Explore other reviews about Gensler

5.0
3 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work-life balance and flexible scheduling. Supportive team environment with opportunities to learn new technologies. Management is generally approachable and benefits are competitive.

Cons

Internal processes can be slow and bureaucratic at times. Career advancement opportunities are limited without clear timelines. Communication between departments could be improved significantly.

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Gensler Response
3w
Thanks so much for the feedback. We love to hear from our people. You and your colleagues are the foundation of our success. We are delighted to see your 5-star rating!
1.0
29 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice office, lots of “rah rah Gensler” events with food & booze, some nice people

Cons

Where do I start…..some studios are TOXIC. Favoritism permeates every aspect of working here. It’s nauseating. There is zero loyalty, zero recognition for hard work (yeah you get a bonus but sometimes a kind word is needed). Oh-and never ever express an opinion that may be in opposition to “leadership’s”. Your private life, beliefs, politics and other personal things are fair game for letting you go. I’ve seen it happen-fired because someone expresses in a private conversation that one has ethical concerns regarding projects that are in the office (but in another studio/office) will get you fired. They will make up some bs about “work performance”, yet no conversation ever with anyone about “needing improvement “. Out of left field. Bye bye. Management tells leadership that they’d already “warned” the person-completely untrue. Hear later it was likely due to having concerns about a client/project. Lesson learned-shut up, work 12 hrs a day and be happy with the scraps you’re thrown. Also-egos galore! Unwillingness to take accountability for mistakes.

6
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Gensler Response
3w
Thanks for the feedback. We treat workplace concerns seriously and address them in accordance with our internal policies and procedures. We have multiple channels for reporting issues and we train and encourage our team members to use them. Encouraging everyone to ask questions and provide honest feedback is critical to supporting our culture and our values of integrity, trust and mutual respect. We appreciate your feedback and will share your comments with the firm’s leadership.
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