The ship has gone from sinking to on fire - Consultant Forrester Employee Review

1.0
Jul 19, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Smart people and occasionally interesting work. - Good middle management - OK benefits

Cons

I've been here 10 years and it used to be a place that I would recommend to everyone I know. In the last year the idea of doing that has become laughable. The company runs on the whims of the CEO and is completely imploding. Do *not* work here. Employee Experience: Upper management seems to be actively working against its workforce. After loudly claiming to the world how ahead of our peers we were in 2021 by instituting "work from anywhere", management has decided to force employees back into the office with no justification. They claim they have data saying employees want this yet have never presented a single number. They attempt to cite our own research but it doesn't actually back up their decisions in the way they claim. They have done all this in an aggressive, combative and completely tone-deaf manner - chastising employees for disagreeing and gaslighting them by saying this was their choice. Strategy: The company is rapidly failing from a business perspective as well. There have been multiple rounds of layoffs in the past 6 months and things have only gotten worse. Upper management (seemingly mainly the CEO) has tunnel vision on a single strategy that they refuse to deviate from in any way despite the glaring signs that it isn't working. All signs point to this being a symptom of our CEO being unwilling to admit a mistake and change course. The company has always revolved around his ego but this has only gotten worse recently. He is known for firing any executive who pushes back on him too hard so he never has to face any challenges. His strategy is never the problem, its some never ending list of excuses (interest rates/economy, war in Ukraine, brexit, employees not being in the office enough...etc) Compensation: Pay has always been bad here. Below industry standard. They used to get away with it because it was a great place to work but now we're bleeding talent. DEI: An incredibly white office place. There have been some efforts to make changes to this but they've generally been somewhat suppressed by management.

Explore other reviews about Forrester

5.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Forrester is a truly rewarding place to work. I feel like I make a meaningful difference every day, both for our clients and within the organization. The colleagues here are exceptional. They are smart, collaborative, and genuinely supportive. I’m constantly learning from a talented group of people who care deeply about the quality of their work and the impact it has. The culture encourages thoughtful problem-solving, professional growth, and doing work that matters.

Cons

The most challenging aspect right now is the current business performance, which can create uncertainty and added pressure across teams. At times, this environment can impact workloads, decision-making speed, and overall predictability.

2
avatar
Forrester Response
1mo
Thank you for your many years of contribution to Forrester ! I’m really glad to hear how strongly you feel about your colleagues and the impact of the work. It's wonderful to see the combination of thoughtful problem-solving, collaboration, and meaningful outcomes reflected in your experience. You’re also right to call out the challenges of the current business environment. Periods of change and performance pressure can create uncertainty, and I know that can impact workload, pace, and predictability. I am confident we are on the right path towards growth this year and it wouldnt have been possible without great colleagues like you. Thank you again for your candid feedback, it means a great deal coming from someone with such deep experience at Forrester. Jobina Gonsalves Chief People Officer
3.0
Jun 23, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Smart people work here, work-life balance is ideal if you have a good manager.

Cons

Morale is low, leadership is extremely out of touch with the sentiments of the workforce.

1
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