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Essex Property Trust Reviews
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    Essex Property Trust Reviews

    Updated January 15, 2019
    219 reviews

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    3.3
    StarStarStarStarStar
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    Approve of CEO
    Essex Property Trust CEO Michael Schall
    Michael Schall
    118 Ratings

    Employee Reviews

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    Pros
    Cons

    • "Upper Management (Regionals & Area Managers" (in 21 reviews)

    • "There is absolutely no work/life balance" (in 8 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons
    1. Featured Review

      "Happy Camper"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - SMS in Los Angeles, CA
      Current Employee - SMS in Los Angeles, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      I have been in the multi family industry for approx. 17 years. Worked for ASN and AVB in the past. Essex is on par with those other two and excels in some areas over both. I am valued, respected, well compensated and I am able to do my job with minimal red tape. I work with some very talented people and value these relationships. I feel as if I have found my home. When ASN was bought out I did not know if I was going to find that again. I hope to be with Essex until I am ready to retire.

      Cons

      I have do not have any negative comments.

      Advice to Management

      I trust in the Sr. Leadership and would not be so arrogant as to give them advice. I am quite sure that their jobs are harder than anyone can imagine. Certainly harder than mine.

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Apr 6, 2018 – Account Director

      Thank you for your very kind words about the culture we have built here at Essex. We are very proud of what has been accomplished, but know that we’re not perfect. While our leaders do have very... More

    2. "Busy work but not stressful"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Current Employee - Maintenance Technician
      Current Employee - Maintenance Technician
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Great 9-5, hands on training, easy going (depending on manager),

      Cons

      You're on call for 1-2 weeks depending on where you're placed but it's not often.

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Oct 22, 2018 – Account Director

      We’re pleased to hear that you’ve enjoyed the work-life balance, training and culture of Essex. We strive to ensure our associates love where they work and providing our associates with the tools and... More

      3. Join the Essex Property Trust team
      See Our Latest Jobs

    3. "Dinosaur clinging to old way of life"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Director in San Mateo, CA
      Former Employee - Director in San Mateo, CA
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Portfolio is strong in supply-constrained markets so occupancy is high

      Cons

      Risk averse, old systems, broken technology, people hanging on until retirement

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Jan 17, 2019 – Account Director

      We understand your concerns when technology fails and when associates don’t perform as expected. It’s our goal to stay in line and often ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. We have... More

    4. "Great Place to enter the work life"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Leasing Specialist in San Francisco, CA
      Current Employee - Leasing Specialist in San Francisco, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Essex Property Trust (More than a year)

      Pros

      Housing discount, employee satisfaction points to change for Gift Cards, fast growing inside the company.

      Cons

      Different Managers, different books; no annual salary review.

      Advice to Management

      N/a

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Jan 2, 2019 – Account Director

      Thank you for your kind words about our housing discount and the pace of our growth. We believe these are critical aspects to the success of our company and growth opportunities for our associates... More

    5. "Leasing Specialist"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Leasing Specialist in Seattle, WA
      Current Employee - Leasing Specialist in Seattle, WA
      Recommends
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      I’ve earned great commission working in the city. There are a few growth opportunities if you put the work in to get promoted. Benefits are comprehensive. My team is fairly cohesive. And the 20% housing discount is extremely helpful.

      Cons

      If you are a Leasing Specialist, you will most likely work every Saturday and Sunday. That’s just how it goes. My corporate training was unhelpful and made me look unprepared when I arrived on-site as well as affected my performance until I learned everything myself. The package processing systems are insufficient especially for large communities receiving a high volumes of parcels daily. Dress code is unnecessarily restricting.

      Advice to Management

      Comprehensive training can be difficult to deliver as every community is different, but I think substantial improvements are needed regardless. The Open Enrollment seminars are unnecessary as all of that information can be emailed (especially if the company isn’t going to provide sufficient food for a 4 hour event). Please please please provide options for package lockers for larger communities in cities. So much of my day is wasted on processing hundreds of parcels.

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Jan 2, 2019 – Account Director

      Thank you for sharing your feedback on your experience working for Essex. We appreciate the kudos on benefits, growth opportunities and commissions, as well as your suggestions regarding training. We... More

    6. Helpful (1)

      "A “Ok”"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Assistant Manager in Oxnard, CA
      Current Employee - Assistant Manager in Oxnard, CA
      Recommends
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      401K, Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits, Work/Life Balance, Abundance of Essex Communities

      Cons

      Minimal Housing Discount, Growth Opportunity, “Competitive” Pay, Employee Training

      Advice to Management

      Skip the internal politics (that unfortunately still exist) and focus on promoting within to qualified candidates, even if they are not your friends.

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Dec 8, 2018 – Account Director

      Thank you for your candid feedback about our company. We strive to provide the best benefits possible and offer promotion opportunities to high performing associates. We’d like to learn more about... More

    7. Helpful (1)

      "Run for the hills!"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Leasing Specialist in San Jose, CA
      Former Employee - Leasing Specialist in San Jose, CA
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at Essex Property Trust full-time (Less than a year)

      Pros

      Housing discount was 20%
      Can't think of any other pro! lol

      Cons

      Poor pay
      dishonest dealings with employee's (promised me a certain wage then changed commision structure after I took the job .. so that I'd make less.)
      Managers steal commissions from renewals and give them to their friends
      Retaliation - If you decide to leave Essex they force you to find somewhere else to live and don't expect to get your deposit back.
      Managers are not supervised and are often never in the office.
      The manager will hire friends and get you to do all the work.
      Always understaffed and underpaid.
      Horrible Benefits.

      Advice to Management

      Does it matter? You're all well aware of the way you treat people but refuse to acknowledge it unless it's done publically because you're afraid it's bad for business. Maybe this is why your company isn't doing well. Word gets around fast.

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Dec 19, 2018 – HR Director

      Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Operating an ethical business is extremely important to us. We take the concerns you’ve expressed seriously as the Company will not tolerate... More

    8. "Amazing job but I’m relocating"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Leasing Specialist in San Ramon, CA
      Current Employee - Leasing Specialist in San Ramon, CA
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I have been working at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      Takes care of employees, benefits, work growth

      Cons

      Not many locations outside of California or Washington

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Oct 2, 2018 – HR Director

      Thank you for your feedback. We strive for operational excellence and we are happy to hear your time at Essex was valuable. Should you relocate to any of our locations and are looking to rejoin our... More

    9. Helpful (1)

      "Leasing Consultant"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than a year)

      Pros

      There is NOTHING good about Essex, truly TERRIBLE company to it's core.

      Cons

      Poor Management, Discriminatory and Unethical business practices,Over worked and under paid, NO MEAL BREAKS given and because they've been sued for millions due to not providing adequate breaks , they continue to break the law due to statue of limitations and they cannot be sued again within a certain frame, "Slum Lord", Company doesn't care about employees or Residents.The list literally goes on.. DO NOT APPLY OR LIVE IN ANY ESSEX COMMUNITIES,RUNNNNN!!!!

      Advice to Management

      Bow out gracefully before ALL of your stock holder leave (being that they are your only concerns) STOP discriminating to the minority employees and promoting only Caucasians and those who know upper management. Invest in your properties instead of letting them rot away like the landfill. Treat your residents fair and stop increasing their rent 10% annually! Sell your company and reap all the horrible seeds you've planted!

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Nov 2, 2018 – HR Director

      Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. From the CEO down, Essex is committed not only to providing wonderful homes to over one-hundred thousand residents we serve, but also a positive... More

    10. "Accountant"

      StarStarStarStarStar
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in San Mateo, CA
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in San Mateo, CA
      Positive Outlook
      Approves of CEO

      I worked at Essex Property Trust full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      Good work/life balance despite a public company

      Cons

      There are no real cons to report

      Essex Property Trust Response

      Sep 17, 2018 – Account Director

      Thank you for sharing your appreciation of the work-life balance for associates at Essex. We work hard to help our associates create balance in their lives. — Essex Human Resources.