Can only recommend if you're starting your career in tech - Manager Zendesk Employee Review

2.0
Aug 26, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work life balance for some teams (others work 10+hours a day) Good healthcare plan

Cons

Leadership is weak and incompetent across the board (this isn't an exaggeration) as most are only in their position either because of contacts, politics or simply sticking around for 5+ years as others with actual talent move on to better opportunities. Company lacks clear direction and leadership likes to talk in circles without saying anything at all while dismissing genuine concerns voiced by numerous employees over the last year. Some departments have downright toxic leadership (see current sexual harassment lawsuit); the company may also be engaged in some other questionable activities (can't confirm but there are rumblings). Pay for some employees is well below industry standard and with RSUs gone there's no meaningful way to make up for the lower TC. Top talent has been leaving in droves at all levels and with the company now operating in post PE mode (i.e. cost-cutting) replacing them is unlikely as talented people aren't generally willing to work for low pay. The culture that made the company popular for many years is all but dead and gone now and only getting worse with each passing month.

Explore other reviews about Zendesk

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work and great benefits

Cons

None so long as you like working for a large company

1.0
Jun 29, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There is a strong concentration of talented people who bring valuable external experience and perspective to the company. Compensation and benefits — including time off — are competitive. Work‑life balance is reasonable in some areas, but if you’re not based in San Francisco, you often have to advocate for it more actively.

Cons

The company operates with a level of indecision that makes long‑term planning nearly impossible. Role creation shouldn’t be treated as a short‑term experiment, yet decisions are made and reversed quickly. In several areas, the degree of micromanagement is counterproductive — you can’t hire strong talent and then prevent them from actually using their capabilities. Whether the root cause is insecurity or lack of competence, the outcome is the same: people aren’t empowered to do the work they were brought in to do, and it’s a real organizational issue.

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