Pros
The colleagues are pleasant to work with. The CEO also comes across as intelligent and sincere in conversations, which initially gave me confidence in the company.
Cons
My advice would be not to take anything said at the interview at face value. A lot is said about being “modern”, “flexible” and “adaptable”, but many policies and management behaviours do not reflect that in practice. Manager (“SM”) tends to prioritise self-preservation over team development. It was not uncommon for team members to be blamed in front of clients and upper management. Communication and direction were often unclear, expectations shifted frequently, and support was inconsistent. While outwardly polite, the management style came across as highly condescending at times. There also seemed to be a strong focus on optics instead of taking accountability. Coupled with a lack of forward-thinking and decision-making, this overall created an unhealthy environment that contributed significantly to the high turnover rate. The Head of HR (“SG”) has significant influence within the company due to personal ties with leadership. Many company decisions affecting staff welfare felt disconnected from what employees were actually experiencing on the ground. Feedback was often dismissed or rationalised away with inconsistent and illogical reasoning. Morale suffered because interactions frequently felt overly patronising rather than supportive. Employees are treated more like subordinates to be managed closely rather than professionals trusted to do their work. Welfare, benefits and flexibility are not competitive. Bonuses, recognition and employee support are also lacking. The company struggles with retention, and the high turnover is not accidental. I do think the company has potential, but the current management culture makes it difficult for that potential to translate into a healthy working environment. Looking back, leaving was the right decision for my own career and well-being.