Propel London Reviews

3.9

73% would recommend to a friend

(82 total reviews)

Melina Jacovou

79% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

Propel London has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 82 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Propel London employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Human resources and staffing industry (3.8 stars).

Reviews by job title

82 reviews
1.0
22 Dec 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Overall they have some nice people working at Propel, the socials are fun which is good.

Cons

However, the working environment can feel cold and unwelcoming, with the partnerships function seemingly prioritising certain consultants over others. Cliques and favouritism are evident, and if you are not liked by those in positions of power, the workplace can feel isolating. Speaking your mind or offering honest feedback is often discouraged, as questioning poor management decisions may result in being dismissed or labelled as “not a culture fit.” There is also a significant lack of expertise in recruitment and the tech industry in which they claim to specialise, particularly in engineering and product. The senior leadership team has little to no direct experience in recruitment, which means there is minimal guidance available. Unrealistic expectations are often placed on consultants, with little regard for the time and effort required to build relationships and credibility when filling challenging roles. Employee turnover is alarmingly high. People frequently leave or are let go without adequate warning or performance plans, creating a culture of fear and uncertainty. These departures are rarely communicated to the wider team, leaving employees in the dark. One day, a colleague may simply stop coming in, and the reason remains unclear unless you directly inquire. Please take the reviews seriously before joining. The high employee turnover and short tenures speak volumes. I wish I had pressed more on these issues before joining and strongly advise others to avoid making the same mistake.

2.0
21 Nov 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- The established employees at the company were genuinely warm and welcoming. They created a positive, friendly atmosphere that made it easy to connect and feel included - Outside of work, I had a lot of fun with my colleagues. There was a sense of camaraderie that made social interactions enjoyable and built strong personal connections. However, within the work environment, I didn’t sense much cohesion between departments. While individual teams were friendly, there seemed to be a lack of collaboration and alignment across the company, which impacted overall productivity and morale. - There are a few recruiters in the company who are exceptional at their craft. I was particularly impressed by 3-4 individuals who displayed a level of skill and professionalism that stood out within their teams.

Cons

- My relationship with Mel (the CEO) was strained from the beginning. While she presented herself as energetic, successful, and full of life during interviews, it became clear over time that this persona was more of an act. She struggled with direct communication—rarely making eye contact—and appeared primarily focused on turning people into profit rather than fostering a collaborative or supportive environment. - The CEO had assured me during the interview process that she would actively help train and mentor me to lead the Tech department. However, during my five-month tenure, I did not have a single one-on-one meeting with her. - Both the CEO and COO frequently demanded results without providing adequate support or strategic guidance. Their approach was reactive, with little effort to create sustainable solutions or articulate a clear vision for success. - Billing & Managing for a team of 6–8 people was not an effective setup for me. There was no clear direction or focus for the tech team, which felt disjointed. Despite making my experience in the DACH market clear during the interview process, suggestions related to business development in Berlin were met with resistance, as if I had suggested something completely out of alignment with their values. - Senior leadership lacked transparency and accountability. For example: I was promised a "warm desk," but in reality, there was only one active client hiring frontend developers. When I opened new clients and shared opportunities with the wider team, we successfully placed candidates, yet commission splits—something not clarified upfront—were withheld. - The previous manager to me, who had been with the company for 8+ years, was suing them—a detail I was not informed of before joining. The company's history and achievements were only partially disclosed during interviews, leaving me with an incomplete understanding of the challenges I was walking into. - The company operates with a "revolving door" culture. While those who perform well can thrive, there’s little effort to support or retain those who struggle. This approach, while potentially fair in terms of performance expectations, contributes to a lack of continuity and cohesion within teams. - Thresholds - The company operates with minimal overhead costs, primarily due to its lack of physical office space, I didn't like that they have thresholds and couldn't offer a good space to work.

1.0
27 Mar 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Offer good opportunities to consultants and in the operations team.

Cons

Toxic work environment, the SLT make up the rules as they go which leads to unfair treatment of certain employees and puts everyone on edge. You can be made to feel irrelevant if you’re not part of the clique. Complaints don’t get taken seriously and inappropriate behaviour isn’t dealt with and somewhat encouraged. They claim to be a truly transparent business but it’s all smoke and mirrors, again creating a very on edge environment.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 82 Reviews

Glassdoor has 84 Propel London reviews submitted anonymously by Propel London employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Propel London is right for you.