Once great, now toxic - Director Cboe Employee Review

2.0
3 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Cboe used to be one of the best places to work with an exceptional culture, largely due to the former COO and all-around amazing human being, Chris Isaacson, who unfortunately retired early. Maybe he knew the cuts were coming and didn't want to witness the destruction of one of his greatest accomplishments. We miss you, Chris. The work was fun and challenging, There are interesting technical problems to work on alongside really smart and devoted colleagues. Compensation was generous and above average.

Cons

I've never seen a company's culture fall so fast. In only a year, the new CEO Craig Donohue is turning a once great company into a toxic culture where morale is very low. The smart people will move on to better jobs, and the devoted people will stop caring. Craig has demonstrated again and again that he doesn't care about employees, he only cares about shareholders. The company is making record profits so it's not a case of "difficult decisions had to be made". It's a case of "we're okay with making employees miserable in order to increase our profit margins by 2%". Craig doesn't understand that it was the culture that made Cboe so successful. We worked so hard, we executed so flawlessly, because we believed in the company and the company believed in us. All of that has changed.

Explore other reviews about Cboe

5.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Great Team - Good Culture - Nice Work-life balance

Cons

- High turnover at times but overall good experience

1.0
4 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nothing, not a single thing.

Cons

The strongest reason to join this company is the people—if you can find the right ones. Genuine colleagues exist, and they often become the support system needed to navigate an environment marked by burnout, stress, and a toxic workplace culture. Unfortunately, professional growth appears to be driven less by performance and more by proximity. Promotions frequently feel tied to long-standing relationships with leadership rather than measurable contributions, leaving many high-performing employees questioning whether merit truly matters. The company continues to struggle with diversity and inclusion. Leadership remains largely homogeneous, and the lack of diverse perspectives can contribute to bias in decision-making and workplace dynamics. Several talented minority employees and leaders have already departed, and others continue to leave, raising concerns about retention and belonging. The culture itself is toxic. Boundaries are often tested, expectations can be relentless, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance requires constant vigilance. Employees who succeed here are often those who become skilled at navigating internal politics while fiercely protecting their own well-being. If you're considering joining, come prepared with strong boundaries, resilience, and the ability to advocate for yourself. Some people will make the journey worthwhile, but the environment will likely demand more from you than it ever should.

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