Dismal pay scale. Zero growth opportunity. They used to have a very attractive benefits package, which offset the low pay but over the years, they have eliminated most of the PTO.
The atmosphere when I started was very tolerant and balanced, accepting that all employees are responsible adults, and that life has its own needs outside of office hours, yet also expecting that work assignments be taken care of. But business started to decline over the last couple of years, they have tightened the screws on everything and pretty much project the attitude now that all the employees are trying to steal from them. Unpaid time off is no longer allowed, so if you have an afternoon appointment and need to leave a couple hours early, you are required to use sick or vacation time to cover the hours, or come in early/stay late to make it up, which could mean 5am or 8pm. Missed deadlines can be considered as cause for termination but no overtime is permitted and unauthorized overtime can also be considered as cause for termination.
They laid off almost a quarter of the company with no notice, no severance and no health coverage (due to the pandemic) and the people who remain are now stressed out, overworked and terrified of being cut off next, yet #1 and partner drive around in new matching Ferraris while #2 and partner (also one of the top 5 people in this company) drive a variety of Tesla SUV’s and other expensive toys. Someone used the term nepotism and it fits well.
Company owner cares deeply about his clients, not so much about his employees. “Do is I say, not as I do” should be the motto.
