10 Oct 2023
FVHD Architects Reviews
2.2
20% would recommend to a friend
John Veisz
50% approve of CEO
20% positive business outlook
Reviews by job title
5 reviews
3.0
20 Jun 2019
Time-tested Architecture Firm struggling to navigate the waters of Employee retainment.
Former employee, more than 5 years
Trenton, NJ
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook
Pros
Great place to start a career. Excellent way to learn and understand the Architecture field. Perfect opportunities for recent graduates, or individuals between jobs. Individuals with drive can move up quickly, but may be overly burdened by excessive work load, and excessively high expectations. The firm is very busy and maintains a constant clientele focusing on educational facilities. It’s current workload hinders it’s ability to train properly and maintain an office standard observed by all technical staff. Company offers 10 paid holidays, 6 paid sick days, 2 personal days and 10 vacation days (earning one additional day every additional year worked after five years of employment - capping at 15 days total) 401k with company match, profit sharing (requiring five years to become fully vested - employees hired through staffing agencies are not eligible for benefits until hired by the firm, at which point the “benefit clock” begins. Company offers flex time (37.5 hour work week requires arrival at the office between 7-9a and can leave between 3:30-5:30p). Lunch is strictly between 12-1p every day - and the slightest tardiness is ALWAYS NOTED by management. (A particular partner is known for checking the studio exactly at 8am to see who is in their seat, or will intentionally check his watch if he feels you’re leaving work too early — even if it’s after hours- employees notice when management is passive aggressive and it doesn’t make them want to work harder for you). Summer hours were implemented in 2018, allowing for half days on Friday. Requiring a 37.5 hour week to be completed between 7a Monday and 1pm Friday). 2018 summer hours began memorial Day weekend, ended Labor Day weekend. 2019 summer hours begin June 14 and end Labor Day weekend. Office encourages staying late to “finish your thought” but requires pre-approval by a managing partner for billing any overtime.
Cons
Poor communication, below average salaries, work is steady but can be underwhelming, limited to basic capital projects with the occasional large project passing through the office. Training is often on the fly, and lacks depth required for the right-out-of-college employee usually hired by the firm. Communication between management and staff is terrible. Information from clients, contractors, and other significant members of the design team is often poorly conveyed or not passed along at all to project managers and technical staff, resulting in costly errors or omissions. The management staff struggles with accepting fault for poor communication. Due to unsatisfactory training, overload on technical staff, and lack-luster benefits, the company suffers from a high employee turnover. The company is competing against two major metropolitan areas in terms of salary, benefits and project type. Many employees leave for more lucrative positions or positions which favor a stronger work/life balance. Office continues to pay under the table for any mileage on private vehicles used for company business. The company pays out at 48 cents per mile (2007 IRS recommenced rate). The company recently attempted to train employees by requiring staff to attend an unpaid lunch seminar. Employees were told to provide their own lunch. The seminar was recurring every month. Building comfort is satisfactory. Office has new furniture, however other shared building facilities (Toilet rooms) are in need of improvement.
1.0
8 Apr 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook
Pros
The staff is very friendly. Flex hours are convenient.
Cons
This is a firm that needs to be more forward thinking all around. The benefits could be better, the time-off is laughable, and the designs are dated. Many things come as a surprise as communication is minimal. The design software is as dated as the building itself. The three principals do not listen well to their designers and design teams are strained under them. The 3 of them don't work on a united front and it can be felt throughout the office. Don't work there if you are a serious designer because working there feels like a step backwards.
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