UGL
Write a review
    UGL
    (460 reviews)
    Write a review
    Write a review

    Company Reviews

    Working at UGL

    3.5460 ratings in total
    5
    169
    4
    111
    3
    52
    2
    54
    1
    74
    92%
    Rate salary as high or average
    69%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.5(458 ratings)
    Career development
    3.2(458 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.2(457 ratings)
    Management
    3.1(458 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.5(458 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.6(456 ratings)
    Ratings for UGL are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 460 reviews sorted by most recent
    Sort by
    most recent
    5.0
    Design Manager
    Mar 2026
    North Sydney NSW 20602 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Recommending Utilities business as the well-established unit in UGL.
    The good thingsUtilities Division - Great management and working culture, focus on the job.
    The challengesOther businesses like New Energy are quite poor on management and culture, so watch out where you're joining even it's a tier-1 brand.
    1.0
    Tanker Driver
    Mar 2026
    Nowra NSW 2541Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Toxic work culture too many bosses not enough actual workers
    The good thingsNothing at all toxic place
    The challengesManagement and stop the divide between workers get rid of certain employees
    1.0
    Offshore rigger/scaffolder
    Mar 2026
    Longford VIC 3851Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Genuinely no care for workers
    The good thingsThe workers were great
    The challengesThe entire leadership structure is genuinely useless, especially the planning teams and anyone related to mobilisation and recruitment. They don't understand basic communication or show any care for their staff
    2.0
    Maintenance Role
    Feb 2026
    Geelong VIC 3220Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Prehistoric work place attitude which belong in the 90's still remain.
    The good thingsOnly a couple of good supervisors, (the rest are only concerned with productivity bonuses for themselves) Money is ok, Not all UGL sites are this bad.
    The challengesUpper management are terrible, never take responsibility, always looking for scapegoats to blame. Be prepared for a lot of backstabbing from management and other permanent employees trying to pull you down when you out shine them, some very toxic and unhelpful people. Like to brush issues away when identified and do not listen to workers no follow up. No progress possible unless you are family or close friend. HR are pointless. The fish rots from the head.
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Finance Manager
    Feb 2026
    Milperra NSW 221427 to 28 years in the role, former employee
    Awesome organisation to work for.
    The good thingsIt's a very good origination to work for, very well managed. Employees are very well looked after & supported by management.
    The challengesLacked the employee data base as to what company equipment's \ licence was issued each employee. This was too manual & time consuming.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Electrical Boiler maker / Electrical trades assistant
    Feb 2026
    Collie WA 62251 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Gained experience on a battery energy storage site. Switch yard installation.
    The good thingsWorking with a good group of people.
    The challengesMost of the work is at ground level. Sometimes physically demanding.
    1.0
    Service Technician
    Nov 2025
    Newcastle NSW 2300Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    “This workplace lacks honesty and transparency, and the misleading communication, toxic workplace.
    The good thingsThe road out of there.
    The challengesSafety, procedures and management.
    1.0
    Senior Commissioning Engineer
    Oct 2025
    Melbourne VIC 30001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Toxic Work Environment at Westgate Tunnel Project
    The good thingsHard to find positive aspects; team members were sometimes supportive.
    The challengesMy experience working on the Westgate Tunnel Project was extremely negative. The work environment was toxic, with direct management displaying unprofessional and disrespectful behavior, including inappropriate actions in the office. There was a serious lack of accountability and focus on productivity, with time wasted without delivering meaningful results. Unfortunately, the Fotscarey HR team was aware of these issues but took no clear action, leaving the situation unresolved. Leadership failed to address these problems, creating a stressful and demotivating atmosphere. I would not recommend this project to anyone seeking a professional and supportive workplace.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Administration
    Aug 2025
    Newcastle NSW 23001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Toxic culture protected by leadership. If you're looking for a supportive or ethical workplace, I would strongly advise looking elsewhere.
    The good thingsMy experience working at UGL was overwhelmingly negative. The work environment was toxic, communication was poor, and leadership, including HR, consistently failed to support staff. I would not recommend this company to anyone seeking a respectful or professionally fulfilling workplace
    The challengesUnfortunately, my time at UGL was marked by a complete lack of support, ineffective leadership, and a toxic culture that did not value employee wellbeing. I found the environment to be demoralizing and unprofessional. Leadership at this company appeared primarily focused on protecting their own interests and those within their inner circle. This culture enabled unacceptable treatment of employees, with little to no concern for their mental health, wellbeing or professional respect.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Coordinator
    Jun 2025
    Darwin NT 0800Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Disappointing Company that doesn’t meet the expectations that they advertise Good people that you work beside but the most uncaring management I’ve ever come across. Constantly messing up pay and flights with no regard for distress this causes. Apparently DLNG DLE project is an anomaly and they aren’t that bad at other sites so maybe give them the benefit of the doubt.
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Finance Officer
    Jun 2025
    Newcastle, Maitland & Hunter NSW1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Encouraged Toxic Culture
    The good thingsThe new employees who joined the company at the same time as me (who I previously worked with).
    The challengesEncouraged toxic culture from the existing employees and management. Not open to new ideas or change. If you don't fall into (their) line they don't want you there and will find a way to push you out the door. Don't expect support from HR either.
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Sheet Metal: Lagger
    Apr 2025
    Perth WA 6000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Quality of Work, more than 20 years of Experience as a Sheet Metal / Laggers
    The good thingsHard work, Quality of Work,Follow the Safety Rules and Company Rules.
    The challengesBe lazy not Honest always Absent
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    Mar 2025
    Brisbane QLD 40001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Poor at best. A mistake coming to the company.
    The good thingsThe pay and location.
    The challengesSenior Management and the complete disconnect. The decision-making ability is poor at best. Their decision is to make no decision or listen to their reports.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    DFI Operator
    Jan 2025
    Amberley QLD 4306Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    My experience has been extremely negative, and I would strongly discourage anyone from applying for positions at RAAF Amberley as a DFI operator.
    The good thingsUnfortunately, my experience within this team has been entirely negative, with no positive aspects to highlight.
    The challengesThe RAAF AMB team is marked by a consistently challenging and negative work environment under its current supervisor and management. There is no opportunity for career progression, minimal overtime availability, and a poorly structured roster that disregards work-life balance. Cost-cutting measures, such as adjusting start times to avoid paying penalty rates, further contribute to employee dissatisfaction. Additionally, the supervisor often offers higher-duty positions only to revoke them without any notice or direct communication. Employees typically find out about these changes through others, adding to a lack of transparency and trust.
    4 people found this helpful
    2.0
    P&C Division
    Jan 2025
    Brisbane QLD 40001 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    The money walking out the door due to poor governance and toxic culture here is reflecting poorly on the brand
    The good thingsNew people coming into business, $$ and scope to make change
    The challengesOld boys club in positions of power, promoting D&I and doing opposite, revolving door of staff, toxic culture in certain areas running sites.
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Middle management
    Oct 2024
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Hard to fit in, culturally toxic. Many people stay on probably due to good wages.
    The good thingsFlexibility at work, some perks are actually useful. General colleagues friendly and willing to help
    The challengesUnderstanding the culture, managing the bureaucracy. Senior management providing lip service at best.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Scaffolder
    Sep 2024
    Far West & North Central NSWLess than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Good overall
    The good thingsGood money just not the roster km looking for
    The challengesNot being home as much
    4.0
    Administration Role
    Aug 2024
    Perth WA 6000
    Need to review salaries better
    The good thingsGood location and friendly people
    The challengesSupport in some areas
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Electrician
    Jun 2024
    Kwinana Beach WA 6167Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Toxic culture, poor management, lack of guidance and safety protocol, massive staff turnover.
    The good thingsPlenty of work , potential to branch out to a different branch of UGL
    The challengesLack of role clarity Lack of management and structure Poor policies and procedure Toxic culture
    4 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Electrician
    Nov 2023
    Broadmeadow NSW 22921 to 2 years in the role
    Good for a job if your willing to compromise on some trade skills ! You might not read a schematic ...But you will learn a old school way or wiring !
    The good thingsGreat people to work with if you get the right crew !
    The challengesNever any parts available, only ordering one part at a time , in a convoluted order ...
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Senior Bid Manager
    Oct 2023
    Melbourne VIC 3000former employee
    Some lack integrity; preference for autocratic management style; don’t bother to respond to employee concerns.
    The good thingsSalary, work environment
    The challengesYou could draw the short straw and any up with a really bad manager.
    5 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Electrician
    Aug 2023
    Broadmeadow NSW 22923 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Pays well, easy work, good crew
    The good thingsAbove average pay, diversity and equal outcome of opportunity for everyone.
    The challengesThe segregation between workshops makes some areas hostile to work in and others seem like utopia. Management could be better at running the company to be comfortable for everyone to work there. With the lack/impossible task it is to change sheds often people leave due to this. They’d rather lose a worker than allow someone to take 5 steps into a new work environment that can be polar opposite to the last and be a more suitable work environment for that individual.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Shutdown roles
    Jul 2023
    Melbourne VIC 3000
    You cannot rely on them for work even for gate starts interstate.
    The good thingsIf get onto flowing jobs then great.
    The challengesNo loyalty when have done shutdowns for years; They stop giving work for no reason; You can do short notice work interstate and get no benefit or help for next job. Cancel jobs and it seems to be your fault for it happening.
    7 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Advanced Rigger
    Jul 2023
    Gladstone QLD 46801 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Flexibility between jobs/projects.They hold no grudge when they call and you refuse but eventually you'll get calls back.
    The good thingsAlways in work!! Great HR staff.
    The challengesThe flights from major capital cities!! Mining companies have been making record profits and we have to find our way to these sometime distant airports.
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Senior Manager
    May 2023
    Sydney NSW 2000
    Management on my project had no soft skills, only wanted to use people as their slaves. UGL is a big company and I am sure they are better managers on other parts of it.
    The good thingsSalary good for short term experience but not long term
    The challengesno life only work not treating people with respect, and not valuing individual beliefs and ways of living no flexibility
    7 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Human Resources Role
    May 2023
    Brisbane QLD 4000
    Embarrassed to have UGL on my resume...
    The good thingsFree tea and coffee.
    The challengesToxic culture, incompetent management team including HR and operations. Will not hesitate to compromise employee safety in the pursuit of profits.
    13 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Apprentice Electrician
    Jan 2023
    I enjoyed my time at UGL however have moved on for my career development.
    The good things- Has a very diverse of people to work along with on site. - Good consistent work with heaps of opportunities for career development
    The challengesWorking away from home is challenge, Along with your on roster so there is large working hours.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Rigger
    Nov 2022
    UGL have provided me with years of good quality employment.
    The good thingsGenerally a better class of workers than average.
    The challengesThe same as most companies.
    1.0
    Electrician special class
    Nov 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    hands down the worst place I have ever worked- avoid at all cost- I would rather stack shelves in Coles than work for this lot.
    The good thingslong term job opportunity (for the right person)
    The challengesclueless management, self entitled co workers, no clear idea where they are heading or why?
    9 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Maintneance Supervisor
    Sep 2022
    9 to 10 years in the role, former employee
    I had an interesting and fairly rewarding ten years at UGL going from being just another part time worker to a long term Supervisor and creating many good work relationships within the coal mining industry in Queensland
    The good thingsMentoring of persons wanting to step up in roles, ie from tradesperson to LEadhand/ Supervisor
    The challengesDealing with multiple different stakeholders and as a Supervisor being the negotiator between workers and Management.
    Company Reviews published on our site are the views and opinions of their authors and do not represent the views and opinions of SEEK or its personnel. SEEK does not verify the truth or accuracy of any reviews and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted. SEEK posts reviews for what they are worth and for informational purposes only to assist candidates to find employment.
    Reviews by location
    All Brisbane QLDAll Darwin NTAll Melbourne VICAll Perth WAAll Sydney NSW
    View all