Unsustainable workload and distressing work environment and culture
Pros
For me personally, I don't really know if there were any specific pros. It was quite an unhappy time for me. Some colleagues were friendly.
Cons
This was the most distressing and demoralising role I’ve held. In my experience, work–life balance was extremely limited. I was routinely expected to work beyond my contracted hours, and while the company offers a generous holiday allowance, I personally found this did not compensate for the workload and often had to work extra to compensate if I were to take time off. I met some kind and supportive colleagues, but overall, in my experience, the culture felt tense and, at times, passive-aggressive, likely due to the high levels of stress and long hours. Social interaction and activities were minimal, as many people I observed did not have the time or energy to socialise. I rarely felt supported, and the feedback I received often felt unfair or unconstructive—for example, being told that “appearing stressed” to colleagues was something I needed to work on. During my time at Thinks, I experienced projects being pushed through quickly, which I felt sometimes compromised the thoroughness of the research process. In my experience, I found the culture to be highly financially (rather than quality) focused, which contributed to the pressure and fast pace. Ultimately, this role helped me clarify the type of work environment I do not want to be part of. I found the experience profoundly challenging for my well-being, mental health and confidence. I know my research skills are strong, yet the environment made me question my abilities.
