Honest Feedback on My Experience at Curlec - Bad decision! - Anonymous employee Curlec Employee Review

1.0
Jun 26, 2023
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Razorpay has provided substantial and commendable funding support!

Cons

I wanted to take a moment to provide some feedback and share my experience during my tenure at Curlec. I believe open and honest communication is essential for the growth and improvement of any organization. Curlec is a company that has its roots in a close-knit environment, resembling a "friends and family-run" establishment. However, during my time at the company, I observed that the founding leaders often prioritized hiring individuals based on their personal connections (neighbour, elite background, foreign graduate, friend of a friend etc) rather than their experience or suitability for the open roles. This approach sometimes led to a lack of expertise and relevance within certain positions, which could have been better served by qualified professionals. One issue that came to my attention was the preferential treatment given to these "friends and family" hires. They were granted special privileges, such as unlimited holidays with work-from-home or remote working options, which were not extended to the rest of the employees. This discrepancy in benefits was limited to a select few, creating a sense of unfairness and inequality among the workforce. Another concern I encountered was the practice of granting double job promotions within a single year, both in terms of title and extended portfolio, to the "F&F". These promotions seemed to be awarded without any substantial contributions to their roles. This situation inadvertently created a perception that meritocracy and professional growth were not valued as much as personal relationships within the company. Furthermore, the 'brand model or the young C level's' involvement in day-to-day operations often raised eyebrows. Despite lacking relevant skills or expertise in certain areas frequently exhibited FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and requested numerous meetings and updates from Heads of Departments. This intervention sometimes hindered efficient decision-making processes and undermined the autonomy of the respective teams. The the young C's predominant role appeared to be that of a brand ambassador for Curlec, often featured in magazines and delivering speeches. However, it was perplexing to determine the true value that the audience derived from these encounters, considering the his limited impact and influence within their own leadership. It was also noticeable that the Original Founder of the company often followed the Young C's orders without thoroughly assessing the integrity or potential impact of these decisions. This dynamic created an impression that personal loyalty took precedence over critical evaluation and analysis. Despite being the brain behind the company's existence, the Original Founder's influence appeared to be overshadowed by the young C's directives. One of the most distressing aspects I observed during my time at Curlec was the overt discrimination displayed towards employees. The company seemed to display a preference for hiring individuals from foreign universities or privileged backgrounds, possibly to align with the Young C's personal preferences and ideals. Unfortunately, this discriminatory behavior was accompanied by condescending remarks, which disrespected and undervalued the contributions of certain employees, particularly those who had attained local education and had proven themselves as top performers. Unfortunately, this created a hostile and toxic work environment that led to the departure of many talented individuals who could have contributed significantly to Curlec's growth.

Explore other reviews about Curlec

5.0
Oct 28, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people at Curlec are incredibly welcoming and happy to help if you have any questions. I learnt an immense amount about coding and got a lot of great advice talking to colleagues further ahead in their careers. Its also very easy to reach out to the founders and C-suite; they’re incredibly hands on and great to work with. There is also a lot of trust in the workplace; didn’t experience any micromanaging.

Cons

Not a super structured internship so you have to have your own initiative to make the most out of it.

2.0
May 14, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

( Past tense ) Positive and collaborative work environment , particularly during the tenure of the former Co-Founder and CEO. Leadership style was non micro-managing, with openness to discussions and feedback. Positive environment to work in

Cons

under the new leadership, there appears to be a lack of clear strategic directions, with limited emphasis on long term growth and revenue priorities. the current leader often struggles with timely decisions making, with approvals frequently DELAYED. this person tends to dismiss alternative ideas, believing his approach is always correct and often implements changes unilaterally without prior communications or alignment. He can say 1 thing in meeting , different thing in email , another different thing in another session . His leadership style and actions raised concerns recent monthly All Hands meetings have seen questions raised but left unaddressed, leading to concerns about transperancy and communication. noticeable number of high performing employees have exited the company recently with indications that more departures may follow. While change is expected during the transitions, recent developments suggested the culture and leadership direction no longer align with what previously made the organization strong.

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