An overcooked promise - Anonymous employee OpenTable Employee Review

1. Poor Leadership: I was the only female on a small team of three. When I asked my manager for help retrieving data that wasn’t available in our system, I was ridiculed and undermined. Despite querying data not being part of my role, my manager had suggested it, only to respond dismissively when I kindly requested his assistance. His response was, “I thought you had an MBA. Don’t they teach you that in an MBA?” For context, I don’t have an MBA, but I do hold a master’s degree in a related field, which wasn’t a requirement for my position at OpenTable. Ultimately, I was fired and replaced by a male colleague. My manager was also absent for 75% of my probation period. OpenTable needs to prioritize hiring leaders, not just managers. 2. Unfair Advantage for Those in Office: During my interview process, OpenTable was fully remote, aligning with the company’s mission of promoting travel and flexibility. However, it quickly became apparent that employees with access to an office were given preferential treatment, advancing faster in their careers than those who worked remotely. Four months into my role, the company shifted to a hybrid model, which further widened the gap, creating an even more competitive environment for career growth. 3. Outdated Technology; OpenTable faces significant challenges when it comes to innovation and technological advancement. The company’s outdated tech infrastructure creates barriers to creativity, new ideas, and modern design, severely limiting its potential to evolve. 4. Slack: Surprisingly, for a company of this size, Slack is the primary communication tool. While effective for smaller teams, this reliance feels lacklustre for a global organization.