Pros
Had some nice co-workers Above-average eating facilities Good transport links nearby Good (employee funded) after-work activities, but not enough for female employees Some (one or two) really passionate and intelligent senior staff members - but they aren't fully listened to as they are new acquisitions. Private healthcare
Cons
Cold, sterile, quiet, Orwellian, passive-aggressive working atmosphere. No clear identity/ethos/mission statement - doesn't give employees faith in what they're doing. Hundreds of different job titles - no continuity. Feel like you can't talk privately w/ senior staff. No Pension! - Illegal for a company of its size - shows poor development of mandatory staff benefits. Felt like if you left the company no one would care. When people left they rarely got replaced. Kitchen facilities/ air-conditioning sub-par - was always freezing cold there! Staff fob off their duties to other, already overworked staff. Privately funded company. When orders/issues/ideas came in from investors, it was taken as gospel and acted upon, despite it often being brought up previously by less senior staff. Mandatory to go to poorly organised (usually Friday afternoon :/ ) employee mixers - dull and soul-draining. Parent Company forced their other interests & investments/company news onto staff. HR department? You're having an absolute laugh. Incredibly high employee turnover, might as well have a revolving door in office. Corporate events/awards that are put on by company are often rushed and under-invested in time wise, despite some great efforts by some staff members. Company thinks that it's this big, 'leading' brand but its not at all - sense of cockiness engulfs it. Staff who just clearly weren't doing enough work. Employee suggestions are very rarely taken seriously. No discussions of pay rises, would often have to force the issue, which would then be shelved by management. Acquisition after acquisition, but they don't treat new purchases with respect, or have the capabilities to get the best of them - why even buy them in the first place? No targets for staff - how can you have staff operating without targets?!?! Hiring of staff - really poor process, some promising employees destined for one role would be poached and placed in another role. Company split into 3 'verticals' in 2015 - had no real clue as to why this happened and what purpose they all serve. Some employees were constantly over-stressed and working to obscene hours in a job they most likely hate. Cycle-to-work benefit, but you can't store bikes in office!! (only fold-up bikes can be stored). Company apprentices overworked, underpaid, and were loaded with menial tasks instead of nurturing them and allowing them to do coursework.