Good pay, toxic culture prevails - Anonymous employee BASF Employee Review

My experience at BASF Intertrade AG was deeply disappointing—in my view, one of the most toxic work environments I have encountered. The management culture felt confrontational rather than supportive. Instead of helping employees grow, I often felt that HR and management focused on criticism and pressure, creating an atmosphere that damaged morale and confidence. The company promotes international collaboration between teams in Germany and Switzerland. Differences in communication styles and backgrounds were not always respected, which led to unnecessary tensions and misunderstandings. I was also concerned by an apparent lack of diversity in leadership and a culture where personal relationships sometimes seemed to blur professional boundaries. This created perceptions of favoritism and inconsistency that eroded trust within teams. Performance management felt particularly harsh. Employees who did not meet expectations exactly as management wanted were, in my opinion, often marginalized rather than coached. Constructive feedback was rare, while blame and criticism were common. The trading environment was especially difficult. In my experience, some traders were unwilling to accept disagreement, alternative viewpoints, or constructive advice. Mistakes were rarely acknowledged openly, and responsibility often seemed to be shifted onto others rather than addressed transparently. The risk management department is extremely pointless. Overall, I found the culture stressful, political, and lacking in accountability. I would not recommend this workplace to professionals seeking a collaborative, respectful, and supportive environment.