Pros
I luckily met some incredibly strong, supportive women who made my time there bearable. The friendships I made are the only positive I took away from the experience.
Cons
I would not recommend working at this company.
In my experience, the workplace culture is deeply unhealthy. There is an ongoing pattern of behaviour from senior leadership that many employees found inappropriate, intimidating, and unprofessional. Women in particular were often made to feel uncomfortable, and there appeared to be a culture where power was used to create fear rather than respect. It became normal to see colleagues leave meetings or conversations in tears after being subjected to belittling comments, relentless pressure, or public criticism. I personally witnessed employees being shouted at and then told they were not allowed to speak or defend themselves. An environment where staff are afraid to voice concerns or challenge unfair treatment is not one that encourages professionalism or respect.
Staff turnover is exceptionally high, and it’s easy to understand why. Loyal, hardworking employees continue to leave because of a lack of trust, respect, and support from management. Rather than valuing experienced staff, the company appeared focused on continually starting afresh, with long-serving employees leaving or being let go despite years of commitment.
The constant loss of experienced employees has created instability and low morale throughout the business. Until the leadership culture changes and employees are treated with respect, I cannot recommend this company as a place to build a career.
The pay is tragically low for the expectations placed on staff. Overtime is effectively expected rather than optional, yet it goes unpaid and unrecognised. Over the course of a year, I estimate I worked around 40 extra hours through events, building walks, and after-hours meetings without any additional pay, time off in lieu, or even a simple thank you. The lack of recognition for employees’ time and commitment makes it feel as though going above and beyond is simply taken for granted.
The uniform policy was one of the most frustrating aspects of the job. Female staff were expected to wear high heels throughout their shifts with little or no flexibility, even when some had injuries or medical issues that made doing so painful. There was a heavy emphasis on appearance, with short skirts, tight-fitting clothing, and looking a certain way seemingly taking priority over comfort or practicality. From my experience, it often felt as though younger, conventionally attractive women who fit the company’s preferred image were favoured, and there was a perception among staff that appearance carried more weight in progression than experience, hard work, or ability.
Clients are not unaware of what is happening within the business, and in my experience they can see the constant staff turnover and ongoing changes in person. This instability not only affects employees but also has a noticeable impact on client relationships. I have witnessed situations where frequent staff changes caused disruption and frustration for clients, with limited communication provided to explain transitions or maintain continuity.
The company’s reputation within the industry speaks for itself. From my experience, several recruitment agencies were reluctant to work with the business, and it was widely known among competitors as a company with a poor reputation.
Based on my experience, I would strongly encourage anyone considering a role here to look elsewhere. For the sake of your mental wellbeing, there are far better employers in the industry offering the same roles with greater respect, fairer treatment, and a healthier working environment. I left feeling undervalued, overworked, and taken advantage of, and I would not recommend this company to anyone.
