Toxic Environment - Administrator Fairstone Financial Management Employee Review

- A handful of genuinely talented and hardworking colleagues who made difficult days more bearable. - Some clients were fantastic to work with and deserved far better than the service culture that existed behind the scenes. - Occasional social events were enjoyable. - Thursdays in the City were often a highlight, and a group of us regularly enjoyed trips to The Folly and Eastcheap Records after work. - The business has the potential to be a genuinely great place to work if the underlying progress and cultural issues are addressed.

- Toxic masculinity and a culture where inappropriate behaviour was too often excused as “banter”. - Advisors openly mocking clients and making disparaging comments about people’s finances behind closed doors. - Inappropriate comments about female employees that were tolerated for far too long. - Favouritism and nepotism, creating the perception that opportunities were awarded based on relationships rather than merit. - Career progression based more on office politics than performance. - Being effectively trapped in a paraplanner role despite repeatedly expressing a desire to progress into a Financial Adviser position. - Commuting from afar, for this opportunity, the workplace culture came as a genuine shock. I expected a professional financial planning firm but instead encountered an environment where ego, bravado and office politics appeared to carry more weight than professionalism and competence. - Poor leadership and a lack of accountability when concerns were raised. - High staff turnover and poor morale. - A significant disconnect between the company’s stated values and employees’ day-to-day experiences. - Empty promises regarding development, progression and professional growth.

Great team, good people, good experience

There are no opportunities for career growth or professional development. Salaries are extremely low. Employees are constantly expected to go the extra mile. Personal preferences are valued more than actual performance.