Pros
Discount Paid sick days Generous holiday allowance Contract
Cons
The culture is heavily influenced by senior leadership, and in my experience it can feel unsupportive and difficult for employees who raise concerns or challenge decisions. Employees with strong views or differing perspectives may feel that their input is not valued. There is a significant issue with management style. Some senior leaders communicate in a way that can come across as dismissive, condescending, or intimidating. I witnessed occasions where managers were spoken to harshly, including in front of colleagues and customers, creating a stressful working environment. Several company events involved senior leaders consuming alcohol, after which interactions with employees could become uncomfortable or unprofessional. This contributed to a culture where some staff felt reluctant to speak openly. Employee wellbeing is discussed frequently, but many employees did not feel that adequate support was available in practice. High levels of pressure, micromanagement, and criticism contributed to stress and burnout for some managers and team members. HR did not appear effective in addressing concerns about management behaviour. During my time there, a number of HR team members left the business, and many employees felt concerns were not handled appropriately. Recognition and career development opportunities were limited. Strong performers were often given additional responsibilities without corresponding progression, support, or compensation. This led to frustration and contributed to staff turnover. Pay was not always competitive compared with similar roles elsewhere, particularly given the workload and level of responsibility expected. As a department manager, decision-making authority felt limited due to micromanagement, yet accountability for problems remained high. This created a challenging and sometimes contradictory working environment. Overall, I found the culture to be lacking in respect, appreciation, and professional communication.
