John Sisk & Son Employee Reviews about "work life balance"

Pros

Worked on some great projects and got great experience.

Cons

Way too much expected from the engineers with very little appreciation given for this just expected to do everything. Very difficult to get more money when you accept such a low salary as they offer to new graduates. Frankly ridiculous what they offer to the young graduates. Below minimum wage for the hours you work. Bad recruitment. Employing people to basically walk around doing nothing while the engineers run around doing everything. Good company to have on your C.V but that's really it. The attitude is you should be proud to work for such a big company. Prestige doesn't pay the bills unfortunately. Company I think has lost its way in the last few years as I'm not the only one who has left and there will be plenty more to come. Hours too long with no work life balance and expected to do Saturdays on top too. Way more money elsewhere with more respect and less stress.

Pros

Usually a big site team with plenty of support. Lots of training courses provided. Free lunch and breakfast on most sites. Can purchase 5 extra holidays

Cons

Very long days and Saturdays expected regularly. Keep using below par subcontractors. Primary focus on most jobs is cost saving. Definitely put ahead of safety and quality. Managers are put in an impossible position of trying to get everything done extra safe, very fast, as cheap as possible and achieve good quality control. If any of this is not met, it is all placed on the site managers shoulders. Taking your holidays is always discouraged and you are made to feel you are letting everyone down if you take a break. Then an email is sent out to tell you to take care of your mental health and work life balance....

Pros

The company supports a lot the graduate engineers and QSs, the scheme is very well structured and everyone takes the chance to learn a lot about the construction industry and how it operates. The company has a diversified portfolio of projects and the graduates can earn experience both from small projects with small, robust teams and big iconic construction projects with big teams. In addition to that, the company provides the opportunity to be exposed at different roles, from engineering to design management, planning and pre-construction.

Cons

Work-life balance is a big issue in this industry and this company sometimes, although effort to improve this have been made the last two years. Sometimes people have to work at the weekends in order to keep on track with deadlines. No overtime is paid in general, however the company compensates the people that work away from home with a lodging allowance + expenses from/to site and company trips are covered. Another big issue is that the graduates have to re-locate every 6-9 months but that is normal as you sign a contract with this in mind.

Pros

People are generally great. Interesting projects to work on.

Cons

Salary. Unpaid overtime as standard. No work-life balance.