Pros
A handful of genuinely supportive colleagues who try to uplift each other despite the environment. Opportunities to develop resilience and adaptability simply because the conditions require it.
Cons
The culture is overwhelmingly toxic, and the impact on wellbeing is significant. Pressurised workloads are treated as standard, with little acknowledgement of capacity. Boundaries are routinely pushed. Micromanagement is embedded at every level, but particularly within my immediate leadership. Tasks are monitored excessively, autonomy is discouraged, and decisions are questioned even after alignment has been agreed. This creates a constant sense of pressure, second-guessing and self-doubt. I’ve worked with many different managers in my career, and unfortunately this has been the worst management experience I’ve had. Concerns are dismissed or reframed in ways that make you doubt your own perception, behaviour that comes across as gaslighting. Communication often feels controlling rather than collaborative, and feedback is met with defensiveness rather than support. Team morale is low as a result. People are burnt out, disengaged, and fearful of speaking openly. High turnover has only worsened the workload and pressure on those who remain.