1. Compensation below industry standards – Pay and benefits fell short of market benchmarks
2. Misaligned leadership structure – Certain HODs were overseeing functions/department they had no relevant experience in. This created HR policies that were poorly thought out, outdated, impractical, and damaging to productivity
3. Siloed and clique‑driven culture – Teams operated in tight social circles, making it difficult for new hires — even those with experience — to integrate. Collaboration was minimal, and help was not readily offered
4. HR policies not formalized or consistently applied
5. Low professional standards in HR – Colleagues did not know how to use systems, had no professional certifications, and showed little initiative for upskilling or modernizing HR practices.
6. Growth mindset largely absent – The culture leaned toward maintaining the status quo. Long‑tenured staff often resisted changes that could improve efficiency or employee experience.
