- Dimly lit "open concept" work environment. Window blinds were always closed, lighting was never sufficient. Nothing sucks your soul faster than a dark work environment that makes your eyes tired and you forget what sunlight looks like.
- You're judged on the time spent at your desk. Go to the washroom too often? Too many breaks? Spent too much time playing foosball with your manager? That's time you owe working. Coming in at 9? Why so late? Leaving at 5? Why so early? This isn't your 9 to 5. It's your 9 to life. If you don't look like you're working, they assume you're not and you feel the wrath.
- Management forces you to give presentations on your knowledge of the company's product or project documentation. There is no trust that you can deliver on your share of a project.
- Low salary, promises of big raises that never come. You will never meet the expectations they set for you so they can justify never giving you a raise. You can never eat enough snacks or free lunches to make up for the below industry standard salary.
- You're micromanaged. Heavily micromanaged. I don't know one sane person who enjoys this.