Pros
Free tea and coffee, once a month you get some free food but it's usually not good (stew). Also if it gets hot someone will bring ice cream for the whole floor, but you have to hurry because they will leave them outside and everything will melt on the counter in 15 minutes (it's a good representation of how we deal with things around here actually) What's coming next are Cons disguised as Pros. The people, you'll meet people that are passionate. If you share the same passion as them it's great but if not then who cares really. You don't have time to chit chat with them anyway. Great marketing: Future from the outside is such a great company. I was actually impressed when I saw they wanted me for the role because from the outside Future is seems like an amazing company full of passionated people that are all "rowing the boat" with one hand and holding someone else's with the other because everyone loves each oher so much. Obviously reality is way different but I guess that's actually great for your next job, it looks amazing on a CV. They even respond to their bad reviews the nicest way possible you can't actually be mad at them. That's also why it's so hard to make things change, because they're so good at apologizing they will get in your head and make you think that what they're doing is right. It's really impressive. Unlimited Holidays: Future let you take as many holidays as possible, because when you need a break you should always be able to take one (as long as you're up do date on your work of course because we're a whole team, rowing the boat blablabla...) The problem is that this company is so fast paced and so stressful that people can't take holidays otherwise the amount of work they would have when they come back would be insane. So people take as little time off as possible otherwise they would not survive when they come back
Cons
Toxic environment: I've met 3 different kinds of people at Future First: People who are passionated (more or less), who don't really care about what's happening as long as they're doing their work and get paid. I think most of these people are pretty satisfied Second: People that are struggling to deal with their amount of work, who are treated like garbage or ignored by their manager because they are not doing extra hours on the weekend to finish the work they had to do (or they are and it's not enough). These people are on the verge of tears and you can see it in their eyes. But they swallow back their tears because their manager just sent them another email about some random new work they don't want to deal with. Their manager will not thank them, and if these employee go and talk to them, their manager will just answer "I know, just try your best" without bringing any support or change their behavior toward that person. These people are usually stuck in the system, drowning in silence and looking forward to the weekend that will be way too short before another week of random struggle. Third: (some) managers and ELT: These are people who reached their goal. They made it, they are part of the group of the protected ones. Nobody can get to them and it feels so great. They provide monthly munchies and other benefices for their own ego but also to keep the people who are rowing less agitated. They will not listen to you, we are being sent surveys about how our work is going but no decision that benefits the employees will be taken unless it benefits them. All they want is more money and more power. This is why Future is buying so many businesses. This next metaphor will sound a little harsh but bare with me here: Future is like a huge colonist, they come with their big wallet to other companies, shine some dollars in front of them and say "join us on our amazing boat, we have so many people already and look how happy they are, they're all so passionated your life will be like a holiday" the company gets bought, The slaves that would be a good addition to the team can join, the others will be unemployed. And now, it's survival time, row row row the boat, and if you're tired we'll have to let you go. Of course it doesn't sound that bad because that's how the system works right? But the drums on this boat are going so fast that it's almost impossible to keep up with the rythm and you're so easily replaceable. In conclusion, if you're in the first and third category, then you're all good. You shouldn't worry too much you're where you're supposed to be. And if all these problems become too much you can always find something else. You're a very talented person and there's a lot of companies out there that could benefit from your talents and treat you nicely. If you're in the second category then you should run and you know it. Of course now it's fine and things are not that bad because you're working on good things and you're learning a lot. But you know that there's something wrong and you should leave before you have a mental breakdown. It's your decision not mine, if you think you can handle it then stay. But if you know you can't then it's time to take a decision. Because even if you try to change things we both know it's never going to happen. We tried so many times and this boat is unstoppable, or at least that's how it feels and I don't think you have the courage to start a huge movement inside Future because we know that these people are too good at silencing people and give us some random explainations. So if you're applying to work at Future, now you know the truth behind the beautiful mask this company is wearing, if you want to try it then go ahead. You should go and see for yourself if you can handle the beast and be handled. If you're already on the boat then I hope you have a good week, it's all going to be okay. I know how it feels to be stuck in this office and it's true it feels like there's no escape. If you need a proper mental breakdown to have the courage to leave who am I to blame you. But I hope you're doing good. Don't let all this get to you, their behavior is not personal The only thing they're thinking about is themselves. Just go make some tea, and answer this review the nicest way possible. Thank you for your hard work, you all deserve so much better.
