Step back in time - Anonymous employee RETTEW Employee Review

1.0
May 30, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Do you like doing things the old ways? Using a whiteboard to discuss ideas with coworkers in an office? Having face to face engagements? Being made to feel guilty about not working overtime because they have too much work and not enough people? Do you want a place where DEI initiatives have been abandoned shortly after the government started banning DEI initiatives within government agencies? Oh and never receiving bonuses? Then this is the place for you!

Cons

Seriously though, management can't be trusted. We worked remotely for years and they talked about how the company was still profitable, they were reducing office sizes to cut down on costs, they made us all think working remotely would always be an option and as of Sept 8th they will be forcing us back into the office 3 days a week. Instead of being innovative they are dragging us back in time to the 90s. We might as well get rid of the computers as well and go back to a world of pens, paper and manilla folders. They gave reasons for this change in a presentation this week and it was a bunch of nonsense. We can all see through this and understand the real reasons behind it. I think it's no coincidence that this happens at a time when the presidential administration issued a return to office order to government employees and Rettew has been invited to visit the white house with a small group of employees. What is the hope here? To find favor in the eyes of some politician? It is also no coincidence that this comes shortly after a new chief operating officer has been put in place, a person who said he wouldn't be changing the culture of the company, who never introduced himself to me and just walks by my desk and never says hello or even makes eye contact. And here we are, changing the culture of the company. Deciding to drag everyone back into the office where they can work less efficiently than they do remotely. It is a foolish move and I think they actually are doing it as a means to reduce the workforce so that they cut down on salaries to make this year seem more profitable. Then the extra work will be pushed onto the people who didn't leave and they will be guilted into working huge amounts of overtime. Afterall, they are "employee owners" and are supposed to "think like owners" and wouldn't owners be happy to work 80 hours a week to make the company a success?

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RETTEW Response
1y
To the employee who has shared this review, Thank you for taking the time to outline your perspective. Your passion for the company and concern over the recent changes and direction are evident in your feedback, and we want to address the important points you have raised. We hear your frustration. The shift to a hybrid work model represents a significant change, and we understand this has caused distress, particularly for those who thrive in a remote environment. While our communications around this decision may not have fully addressed all questions and concerns, we appreciate the opportunity to provide more context. Our decision to implement a structured hybrid schedule comes from a forward-looking strategy focused on ensuring the long-term health and success of our company. The objective is to cultivate a more collaborative and integrated environment. We believe that facilitating more frequent in-person engagement is essential for nurturing our culture, fostering spontaneous innovation, and supporting the professional growth and mentorship of our team members. This is an intentional step toward building a more connected and resilient future for RETTEW. We want to state clearly that this policy is not connected to any political agenda or external pressures. It is an internal, strategic decision based on what we believe is best for the collective success of our employee-owners. Furthermore, this is not a measure to reduce our workforce. We value our people, and our goal is to retain our talented team. The concept of "thinking like an owner" is about a shared commitment to quality, client service, and our collective success, which must always be balanced with a healthy respect for personal time and well-being. It is not an expectation of excessive overtime. Regarding your other concerns, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is steadfast, and we will continue to ensure our initiatives are meaningful and well-communicated. We also hear your feedback regarding our leadership. It is an expectation that all leaders at RETTEW are approachable and engaged, actively fostering positive relationships with their teams. We understand that you and others are devoted to RETTEW, and it is this very devotion that makes this transition challenging. The strength of our company lies in our people. We are asking for your patience and understanding as we navigate this evolution. We are confident that by working together, we can move forward and ensure RETTEW remains a strong, successful, and rewarding place to build a career. Sincerely, RETTEW

Explore other reviews about RETTEW

5.0
Jan 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Since joining RETTEW in July of 2025, I've immersed myself within the organization to learn about its people, its history, the evolutions of the organization and its current state. I am still fully convinced my arrival at RETTEW is very much characterized by a RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME story arc. This organization is experiencing a transformation that is exciting, fulfilling and full of opportunity. In my experience, leadership is genuinely open to feedback, and members of the entire organization are heard regardless of title. My experience here has been what I've made it, and I am grateful I've chosen to engage, invest and grow my career here right now and into the future.

Cons

Change can be hard. Processes are always improving. With growth sometimes comes uncertainty. This will always be true, and it will be felt by those who are new to the organization when they engage with those who have been around. There is wisdom to be gained from our experiences.

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RETTEW Response
4mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re really glad to hear that your first year at RETTEW has been positive and that you feel supported, listened to, and excited about the direction of the company. It means a lot to know that you’ve found a place where you can grow and feel connected to the work and the people around you. We also appreciate your honest thoughts about change. You’re right, change can feel challenging at times, but it also brings new chances to learn and improve. Your perspective is helpful, and we’re grateful for the way you’re approaching it. Thank you as well for your advice. Staying committed to our people and our work is something we take seriously. We’re glad you’re here and look forward to seeing your continued growth at RETTEW.
1.0
May 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They pay you every two weeks, have an ESOP and some of the people are great to work with.

Cons

About a year ago things change at Rettew, they decided to end working fully remote and switched to a hybrid model. People spoke out, concerns were ignored and the plan pushed forward, the brainchild of the new COO who is basically a corporate stiff that closes himself off to everyone and makes decisions based on statistics and articles. They ignored everyone, well, they pretended to listen and implemented the hybrid policy over several months and said that we'd have compassionate leadership that listens to us as we navigate the return to office. Corporate lingo basically, just to try and make us feel better about a change we were all against. Many people left the company and yet they didn't change their minds. They plunged ahead with their ill conceived plan.

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RETTEW Response
3w
Thank you for sharing this; it’s clear the transition to hybrid work was frustrating, and we understand why that felt like a big change for some of our employees. We know how important it is for our employees to feel heard, especially during shifts like this. We appreciate the time you spent with RETTEW and wish you all the best moving forward.
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