Lacks an HR Department
Pros
Sometimes the CEO buys employees lunch.
Cons
This is a small business with limited infrastructure to support employees—there is no HR department or formal policies in place. Lunch Break Expectations: The CEO, Hardeep, often expected employees to be available during their unpaid lunch break. She would frequently ask me to check on tasks or answer work-related questions while I was eating. Unpredictable Work Hours: The stated business hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. However, weekend work could be required with little notice. For example, I was once asked to come in on a weekend to help clean the office, a task not outlined in my job description. Job Responsibilities Beyond the Job Description: My official title was Graphic Designer/Social Media Manager. However, after being hired, I was frequently assigned additional responsibilities, including warehouse work (picking and packing orders), product research and development, supplier management, and quality control. These tasks were not included in my job description, nor did they come with additional compensation. Personal Tasks & A Second Business: On multiple occasions, I was asked to use my design skills for personal tasks or for Hardeep’s second business during Pursen’s business hours. In a larger company, work for a separate business would typically be compensated separately and completed outside of standard work hours. Limited Employee Benefits: The company does not offer health insurance or other benefits. PTO is limited to five days per year, starting in January.