A Design BUSINESS. Business is first- then design - Interior Designer Gensler Employee Review

3.0
6 Jul 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It is a well oiled machine and there is strength in numbers. Knowing that there are over 40 offices worldwide and the reach that has with both clientele and colleagues is a definite pro. There is a strong brand and a community. The size and reputation does attract some great clientele as well and with those are some global possibilities.

Cons

The size of the NY office has become too big and impersonal unfortunate and since the last recession, leadership has preferred to take on almost all work that comes it's way without consideration of the staff. There is a tendency by leadership and project managers to say yes to incredibly tight schedules and budgets without understanding how the work actually gets done. There seems to be a big gap in that consideration. Promotion is done by who has become close to leadership and played their game. Sometimes it's those people that make the biggest mistakes that get rewarded as well because they know how to pass the buck so well. All businesses have these kind of people and their egos, unfortunately in this leadership, this is what is rewarded and not actual good design. The word/ initiative to be 'innovative' is spread around as the key phrase but no one understands really what true innovation really is - or do they allow it. Rather there are innovation standards.

Explore other reviews about Gensler

5.0
20 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good firm to work at

Cons

Nothing bad about the firm

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Gensler Response
1mo
Thanks for providing feedback on your experience at Gensler. We value our interns and love to hear their perspectives. We are thrilled and delighted to see your 5-star rating!
1.0
29 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice office, lots of “rah rah Gensler” events with food & booze, some nice people

Cons

Where do I start…..some studios are TOXIC. Favoritism permeates every aspect of working here. It’s nauseating. There is zero loyalty, zero recognition for hard work (yeah you get a bonus but sometimes a kind word is needed). Oh-and never ever express an opinion that may be in opposition to “leadership’s”. Your private life, beliefs, politics and other personal things are fair game for letting you go. I’ve seen it happen-fired because someone expresses in a private conversation that one has ethical concerns regarding projects that are in the office (but in another studio/office) will get you fired. They will make up some bs about “work performance”, yet no conversation ever with anyone about “needing improvement “. Out of left field. Bye bye. Management tells leadership that they’d already “warned” the person-completely untrue. Hear later it was likely due to having concerns about a client/project. Lesson learned-shut up, work 12 hrs a day and be happy with the scraps you’re thrown. Also-egos galore! Unwillingness to take accountability for mistakes.

4
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Gensler Response
6d
Thanks for the feedback. We treat workplace concerns seriously and address them in accordance with our internal policies and procedures. We have multiple channels for reporting issues and we train and encourage our team members to use them. Encouraging everyone to ask questions and provide honest feedback is critical to supporting our culture and our values of integrity, trust and mutual respect. We appreciate your feedback and will share your comments with the firm’s leadership.
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