Guide to Iceland Reviews

1) The owner consistently attempts to intimidate his staff and shames staff members in front of other colleagues 2) The owner openly believes in fear-based management as a way to motivate staff, but it only creates a high level of anxiety to the entire company 3) The owner regularly fires staff members without reason - he will always do it via email at the end of the day and never actually meets the people in person 4) There have been incidences where the owner has fired people through Facebook messenger - one ex-colleague gave evidence of this to Icelandic Press (Stundin) and another left a few months ago 5) There is a huge lack of HR experience in the company which continue to lead to terrible outcomes, poorly managed situations and employee misconduct 6) A time-based tool (Time Doctor) is used to compute working hours of staff members which is only permitted when there is a 'special requirement' behind it in Iceland - working in a standard office environment does not constitute this 8) Time Doctor was used to screenshot workers screens regularly before a previous HR Manager (who has since left) stopped this capability 9) Guide to Iceland publicises annual staff trips, however, they are ruined by the owner who has either gone on a rampage of firing staff afterwards for childish reasons, or he has also made derogatory comments about fellow colleagues, forces staff to work and log their hours while on the trip or make up the difference on return (e.g. 12 hour working days). He also stresses that if a staff member leaves within a set period of time after the staff trip they will need to reimburse the company for the trip - staff members mainly only go to save their jobs

The stories of this company and this owner circle Iceland already, but I'm here in hopes that they will reach beyond this island. Avoid working here. The owner is a psychotic misogynist who feels the need to micromanage every single aspect of this company. Despite having OVER qualified people in some positions - he needs to be heard and obeyed or you will be harassed. Employees are regularly yelled at, fired on a whim, called names, belittled, and made to feel like they know nothing about their profession. Despite the fact that the owner tries to act like everyone's best friend, behind closed doors he is downright abusive. He yells, he threatens, and he always needs to have the last word. This man is uneducated, underappreciative of his staff and talent, and does NOT deserve the success this company has. In fact, the only reason this company has success is because of the people he constantly treads on - it has nothing to do with him. He believes he is a "spartan in the industry." But in reality, he comes to work high, he regularly forgets important business conversations and blows up meetings with investors. He truly believes he is the BEST boss and the BEST in the business. He thinks he can buy people and treat them like garbage because he pays them a living wage. Especially, foreigners - he will absolutely take advantage of you. Honestly, this would have been an amazing place to work if not for him. I'm sure this seems like a personal attack, but truly this is just what the company is. He infiltrates every aspect of the office, the teams, and the projects, and must be bowed down to in every meeting. Don't have a conflicting opinion, don't have more experience, and definitely don't be a woman trying to do either of those things. There are other travel companies out there that are better to work for. He claims to be "ahead of the curve" in everything, but all of his burnt bridges will come back to hurt this company eventually. He destroys most working relationships with other companies with insults and childish behavior or lawsuits. Learn from so many of us who have left, and don’t work here. Don’t contract for this company, don’t ‘give them a chance.’ Just avoid them at all costs. It’s not worth the personal trauma you will surely endure at the hand of this man.