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Arizona State University

Engaged Employer

Long hours, little recognition, low pay, rotten management. Stay away! - Admissions Arizona State University Employee Review

3.0
Aug 3, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Made a difference in the lives of students and their families. Remodeled office. Most peer employees were encouraging, friendly, and helpful. Excellent health insurance with access to Mayo Clinic. Tuition benefit. Lively work atmosphere on campus.

Cons

Deeply unprofessional, childlike management from the very top down. Gossip, nepotism, and threats are constant. Decisions often made without the input/knowledge of entire management team. Nothing you say to anyone will be kept confidential. Trusted employees are instructed to spy on and report on less favored staff. Any pushback or unwillingness to engage in immature/unprofessional behavior is seen as insubordination. Invasive questions about employees' personal lives. Management can be sweet as pie when they want something, then cold and calculating the next moment. Expected to work extremely long hours (12+ hour days are the norm, not the exception) often without a meal break. Want to use your sick/vacation time? Fine, you're still expected to work. Want to use your tuition benefit? You will be heavily discouraged from doing so. Management sees more highly educated individuals as a threat. There is SIGNIFICANT turnover in this office for very good reason. Those who stay are generally ASU graduates who have no other professional experience. You will not be promoted unless you are a favorite.

Explore other reviews about Arizona State University

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good research environment and great teachers

Cons

Long hours working on research

2.0
Jun 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Competitive pay for some positions, some great colleagues.

Cons

The "culture" in some non academic departments is incredibly toxic. Employees often see others as competitors and some will try to throw others under the bus to avoid being in trouble from senior leaders. It is slow to get any work done if you need upper admin approval and often time work that you have created and completed is thrown away and never looked at again. Personalities of some administrators is very fake and friendly, when they will cut you with no regard or thoughts. The senior administrators of ASU act in a cult like manner and tightly control many goals, works, etc. You will most often have little to no freedom to accomplish the goals that you know would be best for your department because you spend an inordinate amount of time on projects deemed important to senior leaders, that have little to no impact but padding a report for someone in Fulton. Culture is extremely toxic in many areas, and senior leaders refuse to listen to those serving and trying to provide feedback. There is heavy turnover in many areas, while adminstrators turn a blind eye to it and chalk it up to "normal" turnover. Many mid level managers end up sick, stressed, seeking new employment, or taking FMLA to try to deal with the stress and trauma. You will have little opportunity for advancement unless you move departments regularly, or by hunkering down to be a lackey. Routinely expect last minute requirements and expectations, budget cuts without notice, and little to no professional development or support. Depending on the area you may also deal with difficult students/parents who are not held accountable for their actions.

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