Corporate Startup - Product Designer Semi Senior Finalis Employee Review

for a young start-up, Finalis has a clear vision, amazing customers and talented team who cares about delivering a strong value to our customers. Finalis is fiscally responsible too. We aren't burning through VC cash rather smartly growing (and at hyper-growth rates too).

100% remote work means we have to dedicate time to staying connected and meeting more of the new team members. But, it's been a focus and gets better and better.

Fully remote - which allows for work/life harmony.

The company culture is highly toxic, driven by favoritism and a lack of accountability. Leadership is inexperienced and generally unreceptive to employee feedback. While anonymous surveys are conducted under the guise of improving the workplace, they are often weaponized against employees who offer constructive criticism. Despite public claims about valuing diversity and inclusion, the workforce lacks meaningful representation, both racially and culturally. For example, there is only one black employee in the entire company, which speaks volumes about their actual commitment to inclusion. Promotions and recognition are often based on personal relationships with the CEO and founders, and how well-liked you are, rather than performance or merit. The prevalence of nepotism or an inner circle is evident, and if you're not part of it, your growth and contributions are likely to be overlooked. Managerial professionalism is also lacking. Some managers maintain a friendly front but engage in unprofessional conversations about team members behind closed doors, contributing to a culture of mistrust. Additionally, employees routinely have to report to Managers or Leaders who have no industry or managerial experience and are unable to assist with any issues, placing undue responsibility on the individual employee. Many of the overly positive reviews appear curated and don’t reflect the actual day-to-day experience. Also, the company's product itself is insufficient and lacks robust technology to support the business. Unprofessional behavior among operational leaders of people—including private discussions about team members—contributes to division between teammates and undermines team cohesion. Tread carefully, as internal dynamics are often driven by self-interest rather than collaboration. The CEO appears either unable or unwilling to recognize that the individuals he has empowered are a primary source of the toxic culture.