All smoke and mirrors - Recensione dipendente - Technical Architect presso Lessard Design

The firm is highly siloed. Principals fight over clients rather than focus on the project of the client like a bunch of high schoolers. Firm is hypocritical about collaboration – they say it all the time to the client but don’t practice internally. Principals are only looking out for themselves and the bonuses from bringing in new clients. Archaic work environment with terrible recruitment. Recruitment of unqualified individuals with poor screening processes and lots of smoke within the process itself. Lies within the interview at how great working at Lessard is. No collaboration. No “one big family” fundamentals unless it is to the benefit of the company, but don’t expect any rewards for going the extra mile. For an architecture firm Lessard compares to a “good old boys club” quite traditional and not progressive from the talent pool, dress code and projects. Remote work is forbidden. Be informed before accepting any salary offers and don't let the infamous 'bi-annual' bonus fool you. While it is nice, it does not compensate for the below industry-standard take home pay or the lack of raise you will never receive year after year. This bi-annual bonus is also very common among all architecture firms, and even those outside this industry. This isn't something special. Bonuss are notoriously late and are just an extra paycheck with little incentive to continue to over exert yourself. Overtime is not only encouraged, but most commonly the standard and frowned upon if you leave at 6. Even with the extra hours and inevitable burnout, Lessard does not prioritize rewarding their employees. When applying understand your worth and don't fall for the 'but we have bi-annual bonuses' ploy. If you didn't start before the 6 months, you won't receive it. Billability is highly scrutinized and there is a very opaque system for bonuses and promotions. Understand the architecture industry is timeline driven, and yes, long hours are required, let them take their work home with them and stop micromanaging their time. Projects should be based on efficiency not billability and reasons as to why projects may be drawn out. If the flexibility to get the job done and leave was an option, I would bet my "bi-annual" bonus that more teams would become drastically efficient. Timesheets are also run on a week by week basis rather than the bi-weekly pay period. If you work 50 hours the previous week, and need to leave two hours the following, plan to take PTO for those two hours or it be modified on your timesheet without your knowledge. Yes you read that right. Whenever there is a mandatory office meeting, you are usually required to make up that time. The meaning of salary means nothing here but the word "sweatshop" is more accurate. Expectations of 12-hour days with no lunch and needing to leave early for family obligations is never acknowledged. Expect not to have any type of life outside of Lessard or to see your kids. You will be burnt out before the end of your first month. Projects are dropped on your desk with little to no context or discussion. Everything you do must be billed to a project, including printing. There is no real training, if you ask a question for clarification it is frowned upon and then you will be advised to work on your communication. It’s a constant revolving door with new people on your team that may or may not last, there is no training book or portal for information. Favoritism among the ranks is visible. Depending on the day, executive assistant will jump hoops for you or actively seek ways to enforce ‘this is the way we work at Lessard.’ If you are looking to build your resume/portfolio this is a great place to work, but you have to play their political game and make sure you are working for the right principal. Little to no mentorship, questions asked will make you feel inadequate. "You have to be an entrepreneur to work here," but with no rewards. Benefits are not competitive. Health insurance is terrible. pto is combined with vacation and sick time with only 15 days per year and is accrued. Only 7 paid holidays. Plan to work NYE and Christmas Eve. Jewish holidays are not acknowledged. But don't plan to see any upper management around during the holidays, only us technical staff. Owner will be gone for weeks at a time and return with unreasonable time-sensitive requests. Lots of talks of multiple people looking to leave and last year there was hope for improvement by researching our opinions but nothing has seemed to happen. This company will never change until management opens there eyes.