Poor and toxic management - Anonymous employee Foster + Partners Employee Review

Overall, in a subordinate team, you are expected to follow the architects’ lead without having much influence over decision-making. The absence of a clear project management structure—particularly when coordinating across disciplines—often leads to unnecessary overtime. When your project leader lacks effective management skills, the situation becomes especially difficult. Senior team members are often resistant to change and expect unquestioning compliance. They frequently alter plans without accountability, treating it as their prerogative. Communication is another major issue; there is a pervasive fear around written correspondence, for reasons that are unclear. Attempts to suggest improvements in management or workflow are often met with hostility. If your actions do not align with their preferences, they may respond by undermining your work or blaming you for creating tension. There is little recognition that employment is a mutual relationship—they behave as though offering you a job is a favor, expecting gratitude and tolerance in return, regardless of the circumstances. In short, rather than addressing problems, the focus tends to be on silencing those who raise them. Besides doing a good design, you have a second job to flatter your manager.