Pros
The company operates in an interesting space and the product itself has strong potential. For those early in their careers, there is exposure to complex problems, senior stakeholders, and fast paced work that can help build resilience and technical experience.
Colleagues at a peer level were generally supportive, hardworking, and easy to get along with. Despite the challenges, many people genuinely cared about doing good work and supporting one another where possible.
There were individuals across teams who were knowledgeable, capable, and a pleasure to collaborate with.
In earlier periods, the company culture was more welcoming and friendly, and there are still remnants of that among long standing employees. When processes were clear and expectations aligned, work could feel rewarding and impactful.
The role itself can offer a steep learning curve, and for those who thrive under pressure and ambiguity, it may provide short term professional development.
However, these positives are heavily dependent on team, manager, and timing.
Cons
During my time at the company, there was a pronounced and growing divide between the executive C suite level and the wider organisation. Leadership felt distant and inaccessible, with little meaningful engagement or transparency. Teams operated in silos, collaboration was limited, and there was very little space for new ideas or genuine innovation. Decisions were often made without input from those closest to the work.
Over time, the environment became increasingly micromanaged. Autonomy and trust were replaced with excessive oversight, leaving employees feeling scrutinised rather than supported. Creativity and ownership were actively discouraged, which was frustrating for anyone who wanted to do more than simply get through their workload.
Workloads were consistently high, with expectations that often felt unrealistic and unsustainable. This contributed to burnout and a noticeable increase in staff turnover in recent months. The pace and pressure were relentless, with little consideration for capacity, wellbeing, or work life balance.
The company culture also changed significantly for the worse. What was once a relatively warm and friendly environment became cold, tense, and stressful. Morale declined noticeably, and the workplace began to feel more draining than motivating. Personally, I reached a point where I no longer enjoyed coming to work.
There were also clear issues with people management. Several managers lacked empathy and the skills needed to effectively lead and develop their teams. Feedback was inconsistent, support was limited, and there was little investment in individual growth. Career progression was particularly unclear. Appraisal processes, performance frameworks, and growth paths changed frequently, making it difficult to understand expectations or feel confident about development opportunities.
Ultimately, there are many companies where leadership is more approachable, inclusive, and willing to listen. Where executives will sit down with employees at all levels and foster a culture of respect rather than hierarchy. Unfortunately, that was not my experience here. Based on the direction of the company and my time there, I would strongly advise others to think carefully before joining.
