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First Response Finance

Engaged employer

Do not work here - Account Manager First Response Finance Employee Review

1.0
30 Oct 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

one of the managers was lovely

Cons

First of all the role when you apply is very different to what you’re in for when you start- so they lied from the off. The training is intense and not the nicest environment to learn in, I felt very belittled during this stage. Whilst I was at FR, I was diagnosed with adhd, instead of offering help or support they made a joke of my diagnosis which lead my mental health to spiral. For people and a company who are trained to deal with vulnerable customers this is appalling. No body really wants to know you- 3 months in and every day felt like it was my first. There is a huge gossip culture, you find things out about the people in the office that you should never know. There has been a pattern of people leaving due to mental health (again- I shouldn’t know this, but I do know the reasons in DETAIL) there was 6 new starters who left in the months before I did. There is a pattern. And it doesn’t seem to have been acknowledged- as you can see from other low rated reviews. I was half the person I was from when I started as I was so isolated and overwhelmed. They put such an emphasis on being resilient that it made you feel weak for not getting something or being upset by something which is one of the main reasons I pushed it out so long at the expense of my health. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to talk to anyone how I was coping as I was scared to be laughed at and so I turned to the Samaritans. The whole office is like a clique- I wasn’t sat with anyone I knew and outside of training it was like no one wanted to know me. Even in training I felt so small. My fob also didn’t work the whole time I was there so I had to wait to be let in and out of the building which was embarrassing. And as for a conversation I over heard about people leaving due to their mental health- YES being unemployed has very much bettered my situation rather than coming back to first response every day. They have also delayed my start date for my new job as it took forever to get my reference from them- so once you leave make sure you give it enough time!

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First Response Finance Response
6mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re genuinely sorry to hear that your time with us left you feeling unsupported and unhappy, that’s never the experience we want anyone to have. We take feedback like this very seriously, and we’re especially concerned by your comments about how your diagnosis and wellbeing were handled. Respect, inclusion, and mental health support are core values for us, and we’re reviewing this matter further to ensure our processes and training continue to reflect that commitment. We understand that there is always room for improvement, and we’ve recently made a number of changes based on recent feedback. We now have a buddy system, where each new starter is paired with an Account Manager who provides day-to-day support and guidance. As part of the interview process, candidates are also given the opportunity to sit alongside our Account Managers to gain a clear understanding of the role and ensure it’s the right fit for them. Additionally, we’ve introduced “keep in touch” days during notice periods, giving new starters the chance to meet the team, experience the environment, and feel welcomed before their official start date. Once again thank you for taking the time out to send this review across, we would like to wish you all the very best in your new role and for the future.

Explore other reviews about First Response Finance

4.0
23 Feb 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I really liked it here. Management was good, coworkers friendly and helpful.

Cons

Work life balance, had to work 6 days a week

2.0
31 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

* Clear structure and processes in place * Can suit individuals who prefer a highly directive, top-down working environment * May be a good fit for those who are comfortable fully aligning with the company’s established culture and ways of working

Cons

* Limited tolerance for independent thinking or constructive challenge * Strong emphasis on cultural conformity over individual capability or performance * Employees who do not align quickly with the company’s mindset may feel marginalised * Resistant to change, with little openness to new ideas or alternative approaches * Progression opportunities appear limited and influenced more by internal alignment than merit * Can feel like a controlled and restrictive working environment

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