Helix Energy Solutions Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Helix Energy Solutions full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Excellent management and senior management

Cons – Really no cons that I know of.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Helix Energy Solutions full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Flexible work hours, generous vacation/sick time/company holidays

Cons – During my time I had the two worst supervisors I have ever had during my professional career. Being lied to, having credit taken for your work, being used as a scapegoat are all common place at Helix in the supply chain department. During 2.5 years, there has been a full 45-50% turnover rate in a group that had as many as 25 people at one time and 2 manager and 1 director left/were fired. There is no use of the chain of command, no focus on employee development at all, no leadership training as the leaders are terrible role models (and need training for themselves before they could logically train an employee)and there are no employee evaluations to speak of.

 A couple other notable cons:
- Favoritism for under-performers is the norm in supply chain, the strong are pushed aside as they are threats to the managers.
- Promotions are rarely, if ever given and raises are never given less the measly 2-3% cost of living adjustment people receive.
- HR is not on the side of the employees, its actually quite the opposite. Going to HR with an issue is a risk and most employees that I know suffered for bringing problems to light.

If you want to use Helix as a place to learn but not stay, it can serve that purpose, don't plan on making a home here.

Advice to Senior Management – Subjectively the answer that come to mind are grow a backbone but that is not helpful though it is accurate. Objectively, the managers are not professionals, not ready to lead their employees by example and incapable of empowering them to make decisions that are related to their scope of work. Helix supply chain had a strong leader in the past, his position was filled by someone quite the opposite and there is no sign it will change in the near future.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Helix Energy Solutions full-time for more than a year

Pros – Most of the folks are great people with which to work.

Cons – The pay scale is grossly below market value; little to no room for advancement. Very disorganized IT department.

Advice to Senior Management – Pay your employees fairly at the actual market value. Do some research on what other companies in the same industry in the Houston market are paying, and you will see that the Helix pay scales, at least as far as IT goes, are grossly under value. To lose a good employee to another company because of unfair pay is a completely fixable problem.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Helix Energy Solutions full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Sometimes good - sometimes bad - ok

Cons – As every where... stand for yourself

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Helix Energy Solutions

Pros – In this smaller company, employees can have a greater impact on company results than at larger companies. Good work/life balance.

Cons – A lot of people have left, and HR is shorthanded and swamped. Positions go unfilled and those that remain retain more and more work.

Advice to Senior Management – Communicate more often to employees, instead of focusing almost entirely on investors. A higher stock price is not the only goal. Quality work, a sound strategy, and employee pride should count also. The stock price will eventually follow if you achieve those things.

Current Employee – been working at Helix Energy Solutions

Pros – Good company with a challenging business model.
Generally very profitable company in most parts of the business cycle.
Generally very fair with bonuses, etc.

Cons – O&G side of business has been for sell for a long time. This causes paralysis on that side of the company.

Advice to Senior Management – Very top management is almost exclusively focused on things other than operationally improving the company. Many of the things they are focused on (investment community, asset sales, etc.) are necessary but somebody needs to drive lasting process improvements throughout the business. That skill seems to be absent in executive management.
Solid, timely and consistent communication with employees is also sub par.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Helix Energy Solutions full-time

Pros – Small company atmosphere, flexibility in work schedule; friendly work atmosphere

Cons – Flat management tree - small opportunity for advancement; experiencing growing pains

Advice to Senior Management – Provide more opportunities for growth within the company

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend