Great company but lost its way encouraging Toxic Management - Project Manager BT Group Employee Review

1.0
8 Apr 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I have worked for company since leaving school, had a great career experiencing many roles and have received a lot of support on professional and personal development. BT was up to 5 years ago a good place to work with committed people. I have developed myself through skills and experience and have over many years worked my way up through the hierarchy. The benefits of working for BT have been good. Salary and share saves provide what is expected from such a large company and there have been opportunities to change career focus.

Cons

The culture has changed significantly over past 10 years, with the last 5 being significant with a growth in 'toxic management' activity and high incidents of covert bullying and harassment especially at the middle management layers as the company reduces it's costs. No concept of 'team working' despite management rhetoric, it is each person for themselves which is reinforced by misused performance management and personal bonus activity. My experience is of a command and control culture which is a consequence of poor skilled managers. Performance management is an industry in BT with quarterly reviews, forced distribution curves and a heavy focus on the bottom 10% where there is a drive to force people out of the company by whatever means available. If your face does not fit then you will be managed out by any means that can be applied. Settlement Agreements are used to cover up poor people management practices and people are classed as 'labour cost' which is traded and used to support the large number of thiefdoms in the company.

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5.0
6 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good money, so good money

Cons

Long hours very long hours

4.0
26 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Benefits are better than most US companies. You get twice or triple the numbers of days off per year.

Cons

Focus is more on originating company location for group events and emails. Due to time zone differences, it can be difficult to work with others without adjusting your schedule. It is difficult to get promoted outside originating country. Roles are few and far between in the US.

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