100k, 8 years experience - Anonymous employee HKS Employee Review

Mid level talent (5+ years experience) is leaving at a fast rate, the company seems unable to match the market value of their talent. HKS will not be transparent to its employees regarding the income gap in the firm. As inflation is escalating there has been no response as to how annual raises did not match inflation. They proclaim diversity and equity initiatives but I did not see buy in from shareholders/ senior employees. Promotions are political. Do not expect a large raise if you do get promoted. The bonus structure seems to change each year so you definitely cannot count on your bonus to right size your full compensation to your market value. Would caution immigrants from working here as a recession looms as there was a pretty obvious trend of layoffs during the pandemic panic that targeted those with visas. Women and minority employees also seemed to be disproportionally laid off during the pandemic; I don't believe this was deliberate but more of a result of the implicit bias managers have to retain those who are 'most similar to themselves'.