Toxic culture with micromanagement and poor work-life balance - Project Manager Cogitate Technology Solutions Employee Review

This is one of the most micromanaged and visionless organizations I have worked in. Leaders seem obsessed with control rather than outcomes. It is not uncommon to have 2-hour meetings with 6-8 people just to understand why a task needs 2 more hours. The focus is rarely on solving problems and almost always on explaining them. Many senior leaders at VP levels operate more like expensive project managers than business leaders. There is very little strategic thinking, innovation, or long-term vision. The preferred solution to every problem seems to be adding another process, another tracker, another meeting, or another approval layer. Work-life balance is virtually non-existent. Leaves are limited and workloads are so high that using them becomes difficult. Even when you take leave, there is an expectation that you remain available and ensure operations continue as usual. Weekend work, holiday work, and after-hours calls are treated as normal. Job security is poor. Employees are expected to contribute from the first week itself. There is little patience for learning curves, onboarding, or ramp-up periods. Hiring and firing appears to be a regular management tool. The company relies heavily on freshers because they are cheaper and easier to mold into company processes. Experienced professionals are few, and many eventually leave due to frustration with the culture. Favoritism is hard to ignore. A small inner circle enjoys flexibility, visibility, and management support while everyone else is expected to follow rigid rules. Certain employees can work from home or manage their schedules freely while the rest must strictly comply with attendance requirements. Titles mean absolutely nothing. Leads, managers, and senior employees are regularly expected to do the same work as associates, primarily in the name of cost cutting. Project Management is arguably the worst role in the company. You are responsible for everything, blamed for everything, and recognized for nothing. The culture is driven by fear, pressure, and constant scrutiny rather than trust and empowerment. Public criticism is common, and respectful leadership is often missing. Employee concerns are rarely addressed unless they impact immediate business operations. Career growth moves slower than a turtle. Workload increases every year. Compensation and opportunities usually do not.