employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Norfolk Southern

Is this your company?

Norfolk Southern reviews

2.9

35% would recommend to a friend

(1,914 total reviews)
avatar

Mark George

30% approve of CEO

25% positive business outlook

Norfolk Southern has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 1,914 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Norfolk Southern employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Transportation & Logistics industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
1.0
Sep 29, 2025

Splinters and Scrap metal

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Consistent employment Sense of purpose

Cons

There aren't enough words to describe the wholly corrupt and awful world of Norfolk Southern. Our CEO is pimping us out to UP for a cushy board position, capital omvestment is down with zero regard for public safety, track integrity, worker safety, or potential slowdowns due to track conditions. The union is also corrupt, has moved to 5 year contracts that benefit the shareholders much more than the workers, and their talking heads have enough brains to gaslight any inquiries or concerns, then you will see posts with pictures of them wining and dining with executives. Norfolk Southern will drain your life force, snuff your spark, and keep you in a position where there aren't viable options to leave. They will own you until your retire and die too young to enjoy it. My biggest concern is the innocent lives that will be experience irreversible harm or loss at the hands of the true mission, which is to deliver value to the shareholders at any cost-even if that includes human life. We have mainline tracks that are a danger to the train crews, workers, passengers, and communities they pass through. All of this while capital investments in track maintenance are being undercut to make us leaner and meaner. It only makes us more diabolical. I question my own morality for working and giving my working years to this organization.

1.0
Jul 24, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There’s none and I’ll explain why.

Cons

Norfolk Southern is a legacy company, but unfortunately, its internal culture—especially in the marketing and transportation departments—remains stuck in the past. While the company has made public efforts to appear modern and inclusive, those surface-level changes haven’t addressed deeper cultural issues that continue to affect employees. The reality is that respect for the workforce is minimal. Leadership often operates with a sense of entitlement and apathy, and promotions are frequently tied to internal politics, favoritism, and personal connections rather than merit or performance. There is a particularly troubling dynamic within leadership where inappropriate relationships—specifically sexual acts in exchange for advancement—have played a role in who gets promoted. This isn’t speculation; it’s an open secret within certain departments, and it fosters a deeply toxic and unsafe work environment, particularly for women and new hires. Nepotism also plays a significant role. Many roles in the marketing department, from senior leaders to mid-level staff, have been inherited or handed out through internal deals rather than earned through skill or experience. New employees are often left to fend for themselves, as knowledge sharing is discouraged in an environment where job security depends on hoarding information. While the company’s move to 650 W. Peachtree in Atlanta and the introduction of remote work policies may look innovative on the surface, they have not meaningfully changed the internal culture. If anything, they’ve helped mask ongoing issues. This review isn’t fueled by resentment—it’s shared out of a genuine desire to help others avoid the mental and emotional toll this environment can take. If you’re considering a role here, particularly in marketing or transportation, know what you’re walking into. There are better companies out there—ones that value integrity, transparency, and real talent.

1.0
Oct 28, 2021

Long hours!

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay - working remotely during the pandemic

Cons

Very long hours, cannot even use vacation days. Management unreasonably expect you to get the jobs done with no resources to begin with. Micromanagement.

Viewing 31 - 33 of 1,914 Reviews

Glassdoor has 2,169 Norfolk Southern reviews submitted anonymously by Norfolk Southern employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Norfolk Southern is right for you.