Do not work here - Staff Software Engineer WillowTree Employee Review

1.0
19 Sept 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are some very nice folks who work here.

Cons

This agency has gone from an agile midsize consultancy that was building cool things and valued its people, to a bloated typical tech company that exists solely to provide profit to the shareholders of its massive soulless parent organization. Benefits and salaries no longer even middle of the curve. Management will blame the downturn on “economic headwinds” but the reality is, just like half of the rest of the tech industry, they had so much belief in their own intelligence and prescience that they thought the spending on digital transformation during the pandemic would last forever. They overhired during that time because, hey, companies have to grow always to be profitable right!? That’s an idea that has totally been proven throughout history. TD (or someone writing on his behalf) responds to each of these reviews with a bunch of buzzwords touting that generative AI, and our product offerings in this area, will save everything, but the truth is that leadership wasn’t even remotely aware of GenAI until it became public knowledge in January, and are jumping on a bandwagon with little to no knowledge of what they’re claiming to advise clients of. These are the equivalent of the people standing in the back of the crowd watching the wright brothers talking about how planes are the next big thing. Nobody cares what people who can’t write code think about AI.

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WillowTree Response
2y
Thanks for taking the time to post and yes it's me personally responding to each of these. :-) I try not to use buzzwords and answer each reasonable post as best as I can. We have made very difficult decisions this year to adjust to the downturn. I am sorry to report that I agree, I am not an expert in predicting macroeconomic trends. What we do is talk to our clients constantly, who are thrilled with our work (highest ratings ever) and are returning as the interest rates and economy stabilize. - TD

Explore other reviews about WillowTree

5.0
29 May 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great opportunity, take hirevue seriously

Cons

No cons, love this internship

3.0
29 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Lots of really nice, and smart people who are very collaborative and excited to share their knowledge. This is not a prestigious place to work, so I was a bit surprised by just how smart and competent people are at WillowTree or TELUS Digital, whatever our name is. The offices are great and the office culture is ridiculously good. Huge shoutout to the employees (it's def not upper management) who go out of their way to make the office culture great. Depending on what project you're on, it can be a pretty chill place to work. If you're early in your career and need experience, the variety of projects makes this a genuinely good opportunity.

Cons

The biggest con is the compensation. It's so terrible, and far below the industry standard that I don't really see how anyone could stay here long term. They don't give raises, no one is getting promotions. There's also quite a lot of restructuring going on, and very poor communication about it. Which is par for the course in the tech industry at this point, but worth noting. It feels relatively stable for now, but I really have trouble seeing how their tech services division is going to survive as AI decreases the cost to build software. Plus, tech services as part of TELUS Digital doesn't really make any sense long term. It's a contact center business with a bunch of people that randomly make expensive mobile apps? It seems to be making enough money for now to keep going, but I feel like that could change any moment.

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