I joined Seccl with enthusiasm, within my first three months, I received unsolicited praise directly from clients, one of whom called me 'fantastic' for my agile support and prompt communication, and another who noted that things were finally moving forward under my initiatives where previously everything had been stuck.
Despite this, I was let go at exactly the three-month mark. I was given no prior feedback, no performance warnings, and no opportunity to address any concerns. The stated reason was that, given the business's expected high growth, a perceived gap in my progress would not close. There was no data presented to support this. Three months is an extremely short window to make that call, especially without any structured feedback process.
What troubled me most was the team dynamic. I observed a clear pattern where the manager would praise and engage with male colleagues while largely ignoring me. Over time, her demeanour toward me shifted noticeably, from warm and welcoming in my first weeks to cold and disengaged. The contrast was stark and demoralising.
I left feeling as though I had been written off without a fair chance, and that my contributions --- acknowledged by the very clients I served --- were never truly seen internally. I hope the business reflects on how it supports and evaluates its team, particularly women in early-tenure roles.
