One of those toxic corporations that works you to death - Office Engineer Hensel Phelps Employee Review

2.0
Aug 13, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company has a good name and reputation. In a way, people correlate it to your personal identity, which is not-so-great.

Cons

Work-life balance is nonexistant and makes the compensation not worth it. Hours are normally 6-6 on a day where nothing went wrong, which happened rarely. 2-4 times a week, you'll exceed 14 hours without any acknowledgement whatsoever. The salaried positions are OVERTIME EXEMPT. It's very demoralizing to realize that your hourly rate for the week was less than minimum wage. The Field Engineer/Area Supt. role is very physical and dangerous and certainly misclassified. The overwork and stress ages you. People who are 40 years old look like they're 60 years old. Most people are 22 year old fratboy clones. Any "diverse person" who is considering working here should understand that their job will be considerably more difficult and dangerous. The company does not have a functioning HR department, and while I was there, the people who reported anything got their career guillotined. The worst thing about the company are some of the corrupt projects/clients they take. Private prisons, ICE detention centers, defense contracts... the more you dig into it, the more horrifying the realization that youre just a peon, working yourself to death for a greedy contractor that perpetuates never-ending war for profit. It's morally inconsolable. Senior management only seems to want to lead the company further into this direction.

Explore other reviews about Hensel Phelps

5.0
Jul 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong values & great managers.

Cons

Work load can get heavy and you may relocate.

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Hensel Phelps Response
6d
Thank you for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of our strong values and supportive leadership. We also understand that the demands of the construction industry can sometimes create heavy workloads and relocation opportunities. We value your feedback and wish you continued success in your career.
1.0
Jun 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Gained valuable experience working on large, fast-paced projects that helped me grow technically and professionally. I had the opportunity to learn about field operations, coordination, documentation, safety, and how major projects are managed day to day. There were also several hardworking and knowledgeable people I worked with, especially in the field, who took pride in their work and helped me learn. The experience challenged me and gave me skills that I will carry forward in my career.

Cons

One example that stood out was seeing jobsite resources used in a way that felt inappropriate. During a period when field employees were working 12+ hour days in extreme summer heat, it was observed ice from the jobsite ice machine being used to fill a cooler of beer. That created a perception that leadership priorities were disconnected from the needs of the field. Compensation fairness was another concern. In some cases, it appeared that new hires were starting at higher salaries than employees who had been with the company longer and had more experience. That created frustration and made it feel like loyalty, performance, and field experience were not always valued or rewarded fairly. There were also concerns about inconsistent accountability and the perception of favoritism. At times, it appeared that company policies were not enforced consistently across employees, which hurt trust and morale. Employees were left with the impression that personal relationships with senior supervisors could influence how situations were handled.

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avatar
Hensel Phelps Response
6d
Thank you for your feedback and for sharing your experience. We appreciate your recognition of the learning opportunities and support you received during your time with us. We also value your candid input regarding leadership, employee support, and workplace culture. Feedback like yours helps us identify opportunities for improvement as we strive to foster a respectful, fair, and accountable work environment. We wish you success in your future endeavors and thank you for your contributions to Hensel Phelps.
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