Very toxic blame culture where heads will roll and a scapegoat is required when there are failings or missed targets. Rather than learning from mistakes or reading the external environment, firings or employees being "managed out" are commonplace, particularly if they point out flaws in management strategy. Disagreement and differing opinions are not valued, rather seen as dissent or not towing the company line. Despite a seemingly friendly office environment, at crunch time fear and office politics rule. Confused, mixed and changing messaging from management filters down from HQ in Canada. Truly unachievable targets are tied to bonuses and pay. There is an inordinate focus on busy work and sometimes fool's errands to "please Canada" (or worse, to complete a task someone thinks will please Canada) rather than focusing actual work. If you are an expert at navigating office politics in a blame culture environment then this is the place for you, just beware that newcomers in management positions are frequently scapegoated after having been looked to as a saviour when they first arrived - ask the reason the last employee is leaving the position you are applying for, and have a frank 'off the record' discussion with them away from the office if at all possible. Look for what they may be telling you between the lines. Lastly and consistently with all of the fellow employees that I have spoken with, promises made to employees when they were hired - such as exposure to overseas postings - are almost never fulfilled. If you do decide to take the job, ensure you outline such promises within the employee contract.
