Toxic culture of a company losing its way - Anonymous employee Jellycat Employee Review

Jellycat is a company in the midst of an identity crisis. In interviews, you’ll hear about a friendly, people-first culture. That may once have been true, but the reality now is much worse. During my year at Jellycat, I watched as colleagues who began as upbeat, collaborative, and supportive became increasingly demoralized. Managers who were once approachable became cold, controlling, and micromanaging. Much of this stems from the CEO’s behaviour. It’s an open secret that he frequently shouts at senior managers – sometimes loud enough to be heard across the office. This has created a top-down culture of fear, and managers rush to please him regardless of the consequences for their teams. The result is a chaotic, high-pressure environment with little concern for employee wellbeing, or even for Jellycat’s customers. Friends who remain at the company describe an atmosphere of instability: constant changes in priorities, inconsistent direction, and a pervasive sense of negativity. It’s a real shame because there are genuinely talented and passionate people at Jellycat. Unfortunately, their potential is being stifled by poor leadership and a toxic culture.