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J.R. Johnson Engineering

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No Future - Anonymous employee J.R. Johnson Engineering Employee Review

1.0
Jun 24, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The office is in a decent location on the west side; some good restaurants are nearby. Free parking. There are some good people you will get to know. Flexible hours. The benefits are ok, kind of middle of the road, nothing fancy. There are a variety of projects to work on but all are located within steel mills. In that respect, they are a one trick pony. Pay is about average. However, plan on only making 80% of whatever they hire you at. The majority of the time you will be on a 4 day work week because they don't have enough work. They will not disclose this when they first hire you. If you don't have a family or a mortgage or if you still live at home, this is the place to be. Lots of three day weekends! Some on the senior staff will be your advocate and be very understanding, as long as it does not cause them grief. Everything will be fine as long as you are willing to roll over for them.

Cons

There are white list employees and black list employees. Those on the black list fail. You will never get on the white list, it doesn't matter how much you brown nose it, so don't even try. Those on the white list can walk on water, i.e. a white list employee could defecate on the conference room table and not get fired. In fact, the ceo and their pm would blame it on the client, charge clean-up to the project and give the offender a pay raise at their next annual review. Senior staff's level of arrogance is astounding. Always watch your budget. If the clients knew the magical things that happen. Forty-hour pay checks are rare. Be on the look-out after you've been un-billable for a few weeks. When they have a large project they use the Management by Crisis Method. Promotions and raises are not based on performance or competence. Haven't figured out what they are based on. See white list employees above. Not many opportunities for advancement. You may be promoted a couple levels and that's it. No 401(k) match. Do not trust them, trust will be betrayed. Senior staff will not take responsibility for anything. They always try to pass the blame; as long as "it's not on us, we're good". Average age of the senior staff is 65.6 years. So literally, they are seniors. There are very few seasoned younger employees so one has to wonder where the future of the company is. They are baby boomers with no retirement plans on the horizon. They still seem to be living in their yesteryear, fancy cars and younger women, with a steady diet of Geritol and little blue pills. There is limited marketing and no sales force. Work is provided through a good ol'boy network of friends in high places in a handful of companies. These individuals are also in their twilight years.

Explore other reviews about J.R. Johnson Engineering

5.0
Dec 31, 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Laid back atmosphere with friendly coworkers Easy commute Flex time Paid overtime for salaried employees Decent amount of vacation and PTO ESOP and matched 401k

Cons

Hours are reduced when incoming work slows down (could be a pro and con), however it does not happen often.

4.0
Apr 11, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible hours, great location, relaxed atmosphere. The pay is good, overtime is required for some projects but for the most part there is not that much. There is great reward to finishing jobs on budget, in the clients time frame (which can be tight). But that is the joy of the job. There are a variety of projects, most work is heavy industrial, ie steel mills.

Cons

Most work is heavy industrial, ie steel mills. When the industrial work slows, so does the company. No 401k match. More vacation time accrued in a shorter time would be nice.

3
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