Pros
• Remote working is available
• Pension matching 12%
• A basic benefits package (although more beneficial to the company than the employee)
Cons
• Overall, my experience at SmartSurvey was quite negative.
• The company culture can be toxic, with poor communication and siloed teams that operate without real collaboration.
• There is frequent micromanagement, with little autonomy given to employees to apply their skills or make meaningful contributions.
• The company is still described as a start-up, but it has been around for years without much actual growth or innovation.
• During my time, the company steadily shrank, with employees quietly let go or pushed out. Often without clear communication or explanation.
• Job security is low, and there’s minimal opportunity for progression or salary increases.
• Benefits are limited — for example, only 5 paid sick days per year, which is below industry norms.
• A learning and development budget was mentioned (around £1,000), but it was never encouraged or supported in practice.
• Goals are typically set to serve the business only, with little regard for employee growth or interests.
• I also found the work schedule to be unfair at times, and the combination of burnout and mental fatigue significantly impacted my mental health.
• Senior leadership frequently oversteps, often overriding team decisions or shifting priorities without explanation, leading to confusion and lack of direction.