Cornerstone Research

Jan 2024

Very Serious HR Issues: Pros: There are a few genuinely kind people who I loved working with during my tenure. Cons: FUTURE RECRUITS: PLEASE, PLEASE, don't make the mistake of joining this firm if you want to be listened to and respected. So many other reviewers have pointed out that Cornerstone Research has a toxic work environment, specifically related to staff DISCRIMINATION and HARASSMENT issues. Regardless of various complaints to HR, nothing gets done because HR and upper management only care about silencing the complaint, not helping the employee/victim. HR, including the CHRO's main job, seems to be to prevent the company from getting sued instead of supporting the victim. I have never witnessed such ill HR behavior elsewhere. I believe many former employees may have been discriminated against, and if possible, they could bring a class action against Cornerstone. I will be one of those people to raise my hand and share stories of their unjust treatment. I'm sure many similar issues are still underreported due to the fear of retaliation from HR and C-Suite. Also, unless you are a significant "back" kisser, you won't be promoted or taken seriously. The only people routinely promoted are those who get along with principals/officers. Whether you work in the consultant team or corp Admin, your performance review is based entirely on the subjective opinions of local office heads, principals/officers, and your primary boss/supervisor. Your individual performance is of no consequence, and the review turns on how many servile relationships you have built. Some of the officers are plain awful. They are exceptionally self-entitled and think they are gods with your life/well-being in their hands. The hybrid work policy is a JOKE. Once again, you will only be allowed to utilize this policy if you are in the good graces of officers/office heads/upper management. Lastly, DEI policies are nonexistent. Lip service is paid via a written policy, but leadership/HR do not care about or follow it. Cornerstone tries to hire a few people of color or people from minority groups to look good, but this doesn't stop them from discriminating against them. It's truly a sad, sad work culture. Advice to Management: - Discriminatory and Harassment culture cannot be changed by annual "training," but instead can start to change with the actions taken when discrimination and harassment cases are reported to HR. When people come to you and share their issues and challenges, please help them. Your people deserve better. - Lastly, seriously implement your DEI efforts; don't just use them as marketing/recruiting tools.