Pros
I was enticed by the amazing perks and the fact they insisted the company had a family vibe and was not at all corporate even though they were quite large and still growing. Although, there were great perks it was very much a corporate environment and was really annoying how much they banged on about it not being so. I think perhaps the people who have been there for a really long time may still feel that way but the "OGs" were very clicky and a few others that i spoke with felt the same as me. As well as the perks, they had lovely offices and a great onboarding system. The events and marketing team were also next level and most people were really pleasant as are most in insurance.
Cons
The salary for the role wasn't enough. They were paying £46,000pa but the role was worth at least £60-70K. I started with a month's worth of emails already in my inbox and a 6 month backlog of various tasks to do. Initially i really loved the role and embraced how intense and busy it was. When it came to my 3 month probation review even though there were no complaints else where, colleagues had praised my work and no concerns were raised in those 3 months, the two CEOs didn't have one positive thing to say about me and I felt completely blindsided. I would have taken them on the chin but none of the criticisms were justified and my line manager agreed with me. However, they were clearly scared of the two CEOs and instead of having my back just extended my probation. After realising they just didn't like me I was then living on my nerves and actually, although minor ones, I started to make mistakes. They would speak over me and not let me get a word in, accuse me of mistakes that had not happened but because they wouldn't let me speak I was unable to defend myself. Various colleagues picked up on the way they spoke to me (including my line manager) and commented on this but i felt completely alone and was unable to say anything. In the end I quit for my own sanity although I am pretty sure they never would have kept me on. The Group CEO says he doesn't like to employ anyone he wouldn't invite to his summer BBQ with his family. Employing them must have been the exception to the rule because they are just rude bullies. I really liked the Group CEO, he means well and is a great business man. I wish him the very best. To say I was gutted about how this job turned out would be an understatement. I Have beaten myself up about it for quite sometime now, and questioned my abilities to do my job. However, working at my new company has shown me I am not just good at my job, I am great and what real leadership actually is.
