Supportive managers but micromanagement culture and poor hours hinder wellbeing - Customer Service Representative first direct Employee Review

3.0
Jun 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

(mostly) very good managers who are approachable and give constructive advice, good benefits - BUPA, pension etc and pay is decent for the role

Cons

repetitive tasks. unsociable working hours. for a business that preaches about mental wellbeing, micromanagement is an issue here - employees are monitored all day everyday (calls listened to and can get pulled up for missing out minor bits of scripting for example and the meagre break allowance - less than 1 hour for a 9 hour shift - must be logged by employees), a minority of the coaches are extremely unpleasant and on a power trip. 99% of feedback received is about what you've done wrong rather than what you've done well which can be detrimental to wellbeing which could worsen their performance. expected to come in around 30 mins before starting a shift to load up the antiquated systems (which you don't get paid extra for)

Explore other reviews about first direct

4.0
Jul 22, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good benefits and culture, pay ok, you get support

Cons

constantly micro managed constant restructures have forced everyone onto hybrid

1
2.0
May 7, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The money is okay & aGood package, Starbucks on site.

Cons

Micromanagement around stats, call quality, absence, behaviours. Ridiculous amount of pressure to squeeze as much out of there from end staff as possible. Unclear, untruthful communication. Lack of engagement or adaptation to working from home as a business. Poor business model.. We're a telephone bank but push all customers online? Poor systems 🤔a digital bank proposition with a poor digital platform but a high expectation still exists to engage and push customers to self serve. Terrible and detrimental handling of staff with long term existing mental health issues - with total disregard for the equality act and protected Characteristics. Not following FCA guidelines in line with FIV customers causing risk and harm.

4
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