People at the top get great benefits and bonuses, an exponential reward model. The problem with this - people at "the bottom" - forum members especially - are left behind. Pay is lower than the industry average, which bonuses are meant to compensate for, however that doesn't add up until you have sacrificed a decade or more to the firm. You are expected to work a minimum of 40 hours a week, which really means you will likely work 50 or 60 hours each week (more at big deadlines), and you can't take time off the next week to adjust for the extra time you've put in (free and underappreciated labor). The company does not offer enough PTO. Lower level staff have about 2 weeks/year. And you will probably work two 80 hour weeks before you go anyway to make sure your projects don't fall behind. People are burning out. Staff with more experience are burnt out, and it's no surprise some of those people have stopped carrying their load, which younger staff are then expected to pick up the slack, burning them out even faster. Endless cycle. Not to mention no one produces their best work in those conditions, which is what we need to really let HKS shine through the untapped potential of their tired employees.
Under all of this, people has become complacent to blame these conditions on the industry, and I have seen several bitter and judgemental employees complain that someone else isn't working enough because they only worked X hours of OT and it was less than their own, etx. But it's the company's fault to not create their own signature work standards, despite the demands of an industry. The company has made large profits, but it shouldn't be at the expense of taking away from the personal time these employees have earned in their lives outside of the office. Working in this field has been eye opening to me, as I absolutely love the work I do, but question myself every day - is it worth it? I'm not the only one thinking that in this company, and it scary to think that it may not get better, or when it does, most of the good years of my life will be gone. I don't think that just because we work in this industry that it means we should all be willing to waste our years over-working. What's it all for? I shouldn't have to ask myself that question in a firm I want to stay with through retirement.
One last thing - the congestion of working downtown dallas is not for everyone. It can also be a bit more unsafe and downright depressing, especially when working late for those who ride the rail. The CEO has mentioned that departments can be more flexible with work at home opportunities, but not every department or team manager has been flexible wth this change and usually only offers it for limited times during the week, limited emoloyees, and/or for employees with families only.
