- Top-level management (here referring to multiple individuals in c-level equivalent roles) is very inexperienced and not receptive to feedback from employees. Instead of owning and resolving issues that are expected within a small company, top-level managers seem to take feedback personally and respond immaturely by creating a passive-aggressive, hostile work environment for anyone that raises concerns. This has led to questionable decisions. At least one staff disciplinary has been incorrectly handed out and subsequently retracted. Staff members who are personally disliked by top-level managers are made to feel that leaving is their only option, regardless of their competency in their job role.
- Career progression and criteria for promotion was very unclear and seemed somewhat nepotistic in nature. This view of the company was reinforced by my experience of being laughed at when asking for a pay rise. After realising that they can’t run a company as a group of friends, top-level management implemented stiflingly corporate HR policies, incongruous with the size of the company, seemingly to protect and justify their own actions, creating a sense of a lack of trust and unnecessary micro-management.
- The company culture has a sexist undertone that hides behind a seemingly harmless “lad culture”. I felt top-level management made inappropriate comments in the office and at work events about the hiring of new employees and about existing employees. I believe their behaviour displayed a complete lack of respect for their employees and a disregard for their duty as employers.
