Pay disparities: Employees performing the same roles were paid inconsistently, with no clear criteria for the differences. This created a sense of unfairness and low morale.
Favoritism: Opportunities, recognition, and leniency were often given to a select few, which made it difficult for others to feel valued or motivated.
Unethical review practices: Staff were encouraged to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google and Glassdoor in exchange for incentives, which violates platform guidelines and undermines the authenticity of feedback. Due to the small office size and tight-knit environment, employees felt unable to speak openly about real issues and leave honest reviews.
Lack of transparency and trust: Certain practices within the company felt untrustworthy or opaque, which contributed to a toxic and uncomfortable work environment.
Low pay with limited hours: Despite being eager to work more and earn more, I was often told there wasn't enough "space" for me to take on additional hours. This severely limited my income.
Unbalanced accountability: I was reprimanded and told I needed to improve in order to earn more hours and pay, while others in higher positions—who made significant mistakes—were not held to the same standard.