Corporate Culture Crumbling - Anonymous employee Dudek Employee Review

1.0
Mar 18, 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Headquarters location near the beach and close to downtown Encinitas restaurants and shopping.

Cons

I've given a lot of thought to what advice would be most helpful/constructive to a prospective job-seeker in the environmental field (you?). If you are seeking an entry-level position or are early in your career, have no family commitments, and are not concerned with long-term career growth, Dudek will meet superficial requirements desirable for a first job to get your foot in the industry door (e.g., beach location, BBQs, holiday parties). However, as other recent reviewers have mentioned, Dudek is experiencing major growing pains and has been subject to a significant cultural shift in recent years. Most of the people that made Dudek great have left and those that remain will tell you the Dudek dream is dead—they stay because they are close to retirement, own too much stock in the company, and/or feel bound by “golden handcuffs.” Ask any of these people candidly what they think about Dudek and they will tell you the same thing—Dudek USED to be a great place to work but sadly those days are gone and Dudek is a sad shadow of its former self. The new Dudek doesn’t care about people, only profits. They aren’t supportive of their employees, don’t listen to employee feedback, don’t have systems or infrastructure in place to ensure your professional success, and don’t value diversity or out of the box thinking. The company’s founder has been forced by the board to take a diminished leadership role so remains the CEO on letterhead only and the new CEO is filling leadership roles with like-minded cronies. The whole company is suffering by the lack of diversity in thought and is stifled by bullies. If you’re applying for a biology role, ask why a CEQA specialist is leading the group. If you’re applying for a role in the cultural resources group, ask why the practice builder is now “co-managing” with a CEQA specialist. Think about whether you really want to be managed by someone that isn’t an expert in your field.

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Dudek Response
7y
There is some exciting growth going on at Dudek, rooted in our rich and diverse culture. Stop by any of our offices, give us a call, or reach out through our website to get to know us. We are building our team of creative and collaborative problem solvers. Come meet us and find out for yourself!

Explore other reviews about Dudek

5.0
May 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent support from company team. Flexibility is also excellent.

Cons

Highly competitive. Large employee pool.

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Dudek Response
1mo
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you’ve had a positive experience with the support and flexibility our team provides. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience at Dudek.
3.0
May 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working outdoors and year end bonus after an extra quarter into the next year

Cons

Rude/disrespectful, expected to work weekends and use your own car because they tell you that you will have access to fleet vehicles when you are hired but there is actually only one and it’s always reserved by someone else and they expect you to take time away from your own life to hang out with “office friends” and you are to put your own wellbeing and safety in the back burner so that they can reach unrealistic expectations so that your boss can get a fat bonus and you can get all your time burned up

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