concierge

front desk agent

property manager

cleaner

property accountant

FirstService Residential

My time at First Service Company left a sour taste in my mouth. From the get-go, it was clear that the company lacked a proper training program. There was no structured onboarding process, so new employees like me were left to figure things out on our own. It felt like we were expected to hit the ground running without any guidance, which was incredibly frustrating.

What made things worse was the unrealistic expectations they placed on us. Despite our lack of training, we were expected to perform at the same level as experienced employees. Any mistakes were quickly met with criticism, even if they weren't entirely our fault. For example, I was once blamed for a machine malfunctioning, even though it was a technical issue beyond my control.

The blame game was a common occurrence at First Service Company. Instead of taking responsibility for their own shortcomings, management would often shift the blame onto employees. It created a toxic work environment where trust was nonexistent, and morale was constantly low.

To make matters even more unpleasant, there were instances of personal attacks on employees. Comments about appearance and hygiene were not uncommon, which made me feel incredibly uncomfortable and undervalued as an employee.

Moreover, during my time at the company, I struggled to keep up with the workload due to the lack of proper training and guidance. As a new employee, I was not as familiar with the job as more experienced colleagues, which naturally affected my speed and efficiency. However, instead of providing support and understanding, the manager would warn me for "lacking a sense of urgency" whenever I didn't meet their expectations. Additionally, asking questions to clarify tasks or procedures was met with criticism, with the implication that I lacked the ability to resolve problems on my own.

When it came time for me to leave the company, the termination process was handled in the most unprofessional manner imaginable. I was called into the office under the guise of a routine meeting while I was working on my daily tasks, only to be blindsided by the news of my termination. Despite being given a moment to collect my belongings, I was immediately asked to leave the premises, adding insult to injury.

Overall, my experience at First Service Company was extremely disappointing. The lack of support, unrealistic expectations, blame culture, and unprofessional conduct made it a difficult place to work. I would caution anyone considering employment at this company to think twice before accepting a position.

I worked at FSR for several months and found that job expectations were not always clearly defined. At times, I was asked to take on responsibilities outside my original job description. As a newer employee, it felt difficult to decline these requests.

The compensation and benefits package is limited compared to industry standards. There is no RRSP, dental, vision, or prescription coverage, and fuel reimbursement is not provided for certain roles. Pay is below average, and employees are expected to cover some work-related expenses themselves.

In my case, I was expected to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel during office hours, even though this was not outlined in my employment agreement. This resulted in unexpected personal costs.

There also appears to be inconsistency in compensation and benefits across similar roles. Employees with comparable experience may have different workloads, pay levels, and benefit eligibility, which can be discouraging. Some positions receive benefits such as RRSPs, health coverage, and fuel reimbursement, while others do not, despite contributing significantly to operations.

While there are dedicated employees who care about their work, management practices and a lack of transparency around compensation and expectations negatively affect morale. Had these conditions been clearly communicated during the hiring process, I would have reconsidered accepting the role.

This company has a high turn over rate!   Several staff warned me not to accept Over-time they offered and to keep accurate records of your hours worked as they frequently DO NOT PAY for time worked.  This was a common complaint amongst the staff.  I did indeed find that they stiffed me on my pay.  I wrote to HR a few times and they ignored me, even after I took the time to outline and document.  I saw what another staffer went through trying to claim for hours worked, the amount of time he spent calling and emailing.  Not sure if he was ever compensated.  I gave up on my claim, will leave them to Employment Karma. 

I was not hired in the capacity to which I applied.  Such a high turn over in the Janitorial staff that they will funnel anyone into those roles, whether suitable or not.   Mis representation of Job title and description, light duty to them is actually "Heavy duty" in the real world.  

Probably could keep more staff if issues were dealt with promptly and fairly.   Beware and on your guard if you choose to work with this conpany - too tricky.

I've been working with First Service Residential for a few months now, and my experience has been... decent. They handle the basics of property management and maintenance, but I've noticed a few areas where they fall short.

Pros:

- Prompt response to urgent issues
- Friendly and courteous staff
- Easy online portal for payments and requests

Cons:

- Communication can be spotty at times
- Some maintenance requests take longer than expected to resolve
- Fees seem a bit steep compared to other management companies

Overall, First Service Residential is an average property management company. They get the job done, but don't exceed expectations. If you're looking for a no-frills, straightforward management experience, they might be a good fit. However, if you're seeking exceptional service and attention to detail, you might want to explore other options.

Areas for improvement:

- Improve communication and follow-up on maintenance requests
- Streamline the maintenance process to reduce wait times
- Re-evaluate fees to ensure they're competitive with other management companies

I have worked at FirstService Residential (FSR) for 4 years and can honestly say that it is an amazing place to work.

I originally started in this company as an On-Call Concierge on our Property Services side of the company. I quickly fell in love with the culture and brand. 

After about 7 months I was promoted to a live-in Building Manager in our Investment Properties side of the company. I gained many valuable skills while being taught that side of the industry. 

FSR is also paying for my education to get my Property Management License. One thing I love about the culture at FSR is their investment in their own employees. They genuinely care and strive to create a great place to work. 

After 2 years in our Investment Properties division, I was promoted to an Area Manager back in our Property Services division. I am currently still serving in this role. My direct supervisor is amazing and has been a huge mentor for my professional development. 

I would highly recommend this company to anyone. 

I worked FSR for almost two years. The company lost the account with a condominium that I was onsite at. Once they lost the account, I was shuffled to another building which was terrible. Then I was brought back to the main building only to be told that if nothing opened up I would be losing my job. Well I suggested that a portfolio be put together by taking a building from each assistant who is already over worked but I was given some lame explanation as to why it couldn't be done. I was told that if something opened up I would be called back, well 6 months later, I am seeing ads on indeed and monster for APMs and guess what no CALLS.  I have even reached out to the HR dept. along with one of the VPs via email and not one of them has had the decency to even reply. FSR has some people that work there who takes total advantage and don't work at all. I worked at the main office and I wondered how this company stayed with all of the goofing off that goes there.

I've been working at FirstService Residential as a cleaner, and it's been a rewarding experience. The company maintains high standards for cleanliness and professionalism, and I’m proud to contribute to that every day.

What stands out most is how organized and supportive the environment is. Management provides the supplies and structure we need to do our jobs well, and they treat the cleaning staff with respect. It’s clear that everyone here from office staff to maintenance to cleaning plays an important role in keeping the property running smoothly, and that makes me feel valued.

The team atmosphere is strong, and we all work together to make sure residents and guests experience a clean, safe, and pleasant environment. I take pride in the work I do, and FirstService Residential makes it easy to stay motivated and consistent.

If you’re someone who takes pride in doing a good job and being part of a dependable team, I would definitely recommend working here.

Currently working remotely requires a high level of self-discipline and time management skills. Typical days are 12-14 hours including virtual evening Strata Council meetings. A high number of emails are received every day from Strata Council members, site staff including Building Managers and caretakers, Owners, residents, trades and contractors and FirstService Residential associates in the Administration, Accounting, Accounts Receivable and Payable and Insurance departments. All Strata Managers are part of a Team with a Regional Director as Lead. Management is very supportive providing ongoing education seminars and encouraging additional training on FirstService University. The hardest part of the job is knowing that the job is never completely done. The most enjoyable part of the job is managing the portfolio independently but within the Best Practices of FirstService Residential. 

After starting a FirstService Residential, I noticed straight away how much the company values teamwork, collaboration, and leadership.  With many different departments available to assist with training, the environment is very supportive. The priorities are to develop skills to service the community in the best way. As well, the company has a strong focus in their employees well being on every level and resources and benefits are available to address everyone's needs.  The upper management is kind.  They've developed a fun atmosphere that is very inclusive.  They're uplifting and supportive to the employees.  They have an extended period of training unlike anything I've seen elsewhere and they work really hard not to overwhelm new team members to keep good retention and happiness in the workplace.  After seeing the many resources available to the teams and the clients, I think FirstService Residential is a great place to work.

It is serious business but one has to be perfect despite the minimum supervision.
I have learnt to manage time well, use of different equipment and tools and adherence to instructions.
Management is excellent. It is worker-centered but does not compromise customer satisfaction. The superiors are approachable and always get down to get workers' views.
Workplace culture cherishes individual initiative, but the team is always there to see everyone do the job diligently. There is always cooperation.
Jitters that come with a new assignment one has to do for the first time. You have fears of not choosing the right tools/equipment and methodology.
The most enjoyable part is when the days' shift is ending. You are contented that you have worked. It feels the best when your work is appreciated by your immediate supervisor. 


Top Job Titles	Average salary
Concierge 15 salaries reported	$19.37 per hour
Front desk agent 1 salary reported	$20.50 per hour
Property manager 2 salaries reported	$73,750 per year
Cleaner 3 salaries reported	$17.83 per hour
Property accountant 4 salaries reported	$58,750 per year

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