Sharing my experience - Planner Ethos Urban Employee Review

5.0
Aug 18, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I work at Ethos at present and have for a while, and it upsets me greatly to see these negative reviews. I feel it’s important to respond to this review because many of the claims made simply don’t reflect my experience or the reality of the workplace that I enjoy every day. Ethos is genuinely a great place to work. The team here is positive, engaged, and supportive, and I’ve always felt that people are invested in what they do. We get to work on a really diverse range of projects with people that love what they do, and with top-tier clients, which makes the work both interesting and rewarding. On the more serious claims made in some of these reviews, to suggest that sexual harassment and bullying are part of the culture at Ethos is just not true from what I have witnessed. From my experience, the company has clear expectations and a zero-tolerance approach to that kind of behaviour. The Directors and leadership team are approachable, invested in the wellbeing of staff, and very open to hearing concerns. To say otherwise doesn’t reflect the business I know and experience. The comments about working excessive hours are also misleading in my experience. Our standard week is 38 hours, and most people work between that and 42 hours. I’ve never been told myself or heard of anyone being told that they need to work 50+ hours or weekends to be considered a good employee – that’s simply not how it works here. Yes you work hard when you're here, but that is why I love it. I'm passionate about planning and I love to get stuck into my work. If you're driven and motivated to have a great career then this is a excellent place to be. On top of that, we have a flexible work from home policy that makes it easier to balance work and life. I can only speak from my own experience, but Ethos has been a positive, supportive, and safe place to work with good people who genuinely enjoy what they do. That’s the reality for me and for many of my colleagues. I wanted to post my experience of working at Ethos as it seems that only ex-employees who have a axe to grind are wanting to post, and its important to hear from the 'usually' silent majority.

Cons

We are going through some change at the moment which is a little disruptive to work, but that's to be expected given the integration with Colliers.

Explore other reviews about Ethos Urban

1.0
Jul 11, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nothing that is worth mentioning

Cons

Office culture (at least in Sydney) is characterised by bullying, drug use, and sexual misconduct. Directors will use more junior staff as their personal drug suppliers. Junior staff will backstab each other and say horrible things behind one another’s back in the name of “healthy competition”. Multiple cases of sexual harassment and indecent assault which, despite being reported to HR, seem to be behaviour worth rewarding. If you are a female staff member, never ever let yourself be alone in a room with a male director. Make up an excuse if you have to. Male staff will get promoted because they are chummy with directors rather than based on merit. Female staff are expected to do the grunt work. Salaries are extremely poor with no bonus system at all. Despite this, staff are expected to work nights and weekends and if you don’t, you’re not chipping in. Management/director cohort are socially inept and unqualified to be in people management roles. Not an MBA in sight. If something doesn't go according to plan on a project, directors will throw their staff members under the bus in client meetings to take the blame and avoid their own accountability. The ESG and RAP policies are all a marketing/optics exercise in an effort to appear like a socially responsible organisation. They can’t retain their existing staff and can’t seem to hire new staff, which should tell you everything you need to know about Ethos Urban.

7
4.0
Jul 16, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I’m sick of these reviews grossly misrepresenting the culture at Ethos Urban, so it’s time to set the record straight. Ethos Urban’s culture is not “characterised by bullying, drug use, and sexual misconduct.” In all my years at Ethos Urban, the worst that I have witnessed personally is the odd drunken overreach. I have also heard of two parties (not official functions) where there apparently was drug use, but didn’t witness this personally. Obviously any inappropriate behaviour should be dealt with accordingly. But I’d say that the level and frequency of inappropriate behaviour at Ethos Urban is fairly typical of any company that hires, you know, people. As for bullying, I have never witnessed that. Ever. But have heard of some “mean girl” type behaviour which I believe has been addressed. Sometimes staff have to work a bit late, and I’ve personally worked a few weekends over the years. But, like, toughen up, snowflakes. That’s consulting life. Rant over.

Cons

It’s hard work, and if you don’t like it, go work for a council.

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