The previous entries of a "bully" or "mean girls" culture could not be closer to the truth. This is an organization that regards like minds only. If you don't think like/agree with upper management, you are a pariah. My experience was not unlike being hustled. My first few months, I felt like a super star. I was given great opportunities and my voice was heard.
It was just after my first six months that I started to hear things like "no critical thinking" and "be more strategic". That was also when the nit-picking started and every deliverable was returned with scathing comments. Then, I noticed that I was being excluded from meetings and conversations about my client. At first glance this may seem like a performance problem, but I continued to get great reviews, a promotion and bonuses. I also continued to grow my work. I was respected at the client, but not back at the office.
During my time, I saw over 30 people come and go and saw two colleagues need to take extended leave for burn out/anxiety issues. To me, this is an indication of an unhealthy work environment. The culture is similar to a sorority and the quality of your work and your loyalty to the firm doesn't really matter. What matters more is whether or not you are with the "in" crowd. If you aren't, you have no future here. I tried my hardest to be a part of the community, but in the end, I just wasn't successful.
