Black & Veatch Reviews

Pros

There are many opportunities for career advancement at Black & Veatch.

Cons

Black & Veatch is working to create greater synchronicity between its various business divisions.

Pros

Although still behind the times BV is starting to make great strides in updating their technologies. This should help automate alot more functions for employees in the future. Depending on location, opportunity to learn new things is there.

Cons

You are often thrown into a job role with little to know training. The "sink or swim" method is highly popular at BV with little to no training from your manager. This is in part due to the manager not knowing their role as well. The managers who think they perform wall in actuality are micromanagers who would rather spend more time clocking your every move than being productive themselves. The job responsibilities need to be realigned as alot of positions are loaded down with work while other roles are not. The other issue is, at least in certain divisions, is that they are very contractor heavy. I have witnessed them keep people in contract roles for as long as 2 years before converting them, why? Is that really cost effective? While i understand the budget contstraints and the cost savings, after so long its not effective cost saving to keep these positions as contract.

Advice to Senior Management

Its definately time to evaluate senior leadership roles, especially in finance and operations. In certain divisions these individuals have been in these roles entirely too long and have lost focus of what their job should be. They seem more concerned with "how they look" vs what they actually know. Time for the longstanding tradition of "out with the old, in with the new". Bring some fresh blood into these roles to contribute new and innovative ideas. The days of stagnant leaders needs to end.

Pros

International presence and opportunities to work at international locations.

Cons

Professionals are often labelled and those perceptions are hard to change.

Pros

Some of the brightest, most intelligent people I have ever met work here. The work is plentiful and the challenges keep coming. their mission statement is one of the best I've seen/heard, and the company truly lives up to it's theme of "Building a World of Difference." Employees know they are making a positive impact and and work hard to use their skills and talents for "good." Excellent benefits package.

Cons

There are not enough hours in the day to get the workload done. Praise is minimal and infrequent, and often way overshadowed by criticism and pressure to do more with fewer people.

Advice to Senior Management

Develop and instigate and support a robust recognition program.

Pros

The people there are very friendly and would help you in any way you needed help in your position.

Cons

Not enough written policies in place. Makes it difficult to do your job correctly.

Advice to Senior Management

Put more policies in place and require everyone to follow theml.

Pros

Good opportunities for advancement
Great pay
Competitive benefits package
Good company name recognition (could be beneficial if you choose to pursue a position with another company)

Cons

Management frequently out of touch with true level of effort required to complete projects.
Work/life balance "preached" but not "practiced" by a significant number of employees resulting ultimately in young emloyees burning themselves out and seeking lower-stress opportunities elsewhere.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue to focus on employee training as we go through a period of rapid growth. Develop a program (training or an "advertising campaign") to help employees strike a better work/life balance.

Pros

Flexibility in setting working hours

Cons

Mgmt for team I was on didn't know how to encourage people so they would do a good job - everyone trying to get hired and culture was fear of being let go
Very behind the times in sharing information
Minimal training and job aids

Advice to Senior Management

Put some focus on sharing information using SharePoint - this will help with the turnover coming up to speed quicker

Pros

Work schedule flexibility
Bonus plan is OK
Complex projects around the world
Opportunity for travel globally

Cons

HR does not value employees
Management does not include engineering in project pursuits
Competitors are not treated respectfully

Advice to Senior Management

Human resources needs to better understand the position of the employees and work in their interest.

Pros

Good learning environment and good opportunities. There are many opportunities to move vertically or laterally if you're interested. Many of the projects are very large in scope and look great on a resume.

Cons

I felt that almost all decisions are left in the hands of management, with very little input from engineers. Technology, practices, and such are dated and even though BV are consultants, some decisions can cost the client more, simply because management is used to doing it a certain way.

Advice to Senior Management

Give some leeway to engineers on their projects and be more open towards new technologies and practices that find their way into the industry.

Pros

Work with great people in different offices

Cons

Takes a long time to be promoted

Advice to Senior Management

Keep it up