CannonDesign reviews

4.0

78% would recommend to a friend

(334 total reviews)
avatar

Brad Lukanic, AIA

81% approve of CEO

81% positive business outlook

CannonDesign has an employee rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, based on 334 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The CannonDesign employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

334 reviews
1.0
Jul 20, 2014

Toxic Leadership

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company offers good benefits including excellent health insurance and 401K plans. Salaries are good for most but not all employees. There is a remarkable level of creativity and commitment on the part of junior staff. Many of the projects are unique and exciting.

Cons

It is an extremely top heavy organization with leadership who typically hinder the work rather than help it. Much of this leadership is prone to making promises to clients that cannot be fulfilled and to holding unreasonable and outrageous expectations of internal staff and consultants. They seem to have no grasp on the reality of how the work is executed. And, therefore, the end result is usually poor service to the client and design/documentation frequently bordering on negligence. Well-intentioned process improvement initiatives are begun on a regular basis but never completed or fulfilled. Manipulation and blatant lies are commonplace among leadership, creating a culture of fear, self-protection, and negativity. And, these conditions seem to be worsening as a result of the recent reorganization. All of this, in addition to a somewhat unfriendly stance toward women and minorities, is likely a contributor to the extremely high turnover rate. In fact, the most committed and capable personnel are usually the first to leave upon growing weary of poor treatment and toxic leadership.

3.0
Aug 26, 2013

Great Learning experience

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Start out hourly (time and a half for overtime). Lots of knowledgeable senior staff to learn from. Good standards and very good IT infrastructure. Prestigious projects. Fantastic place to learn from.

Cons

obscene overtime required at times, which is ok as long as you are hourly. low base pay, tiny bonuses (if at all), no raises (for 3 years straight). "Promoted" to salary, so they could pay less. Company claims tough economy so no raises, meanwhile records record profits. Very top heavy company, so advancement is little to none. Politics and large egos with some principals. Many employees are 'coasting' at this point, creating more work for others. Morale problems. High turn over as a result

2.0
Feb 2, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

An exciting multi-national industry. Cannon offered a fairly competitive salary and benefits. Associates at lower levels are generally friendly, talented and cooperative.

Cons

Unfortunately, associates who are not in architecture or engineering positions are regarded as easily replaceable parts. Only a chosen few 'others' are acknowledged within the company's stifling 'members only' atmosphere. There is a definite caste system: architects, followed by engineers, then the remaining associates far below (the company web site provides a clear picture of the very limited professions that are promoted to the 'Principal' levels). As a rule, results are rewarded only if you are an architect or engineer - results are simply expected if you are not. It's a shame because the company does good work, but year after year excellent talent becomes frustrated and chooses to leave.

Viewing 70 - 72 of 334 Reviews

Glassdoor has 376 CannonDesign reviews submitted anonymously by CannonDesign employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if CannonDesign is right for you.