Avoid Like a Plague - Anonymous employee Media Business Insight Employee Review

I like working in Central London

Operational basics weren’t reliable, including payroll timing, which felt like a gamble. Senior management lacked competence and the CEO’s constant presence in the office created an uncomfortable “being watched” vibe. Collaboration was weak across the business. Teams and departments competed instead of working toward shared goals, which affected delivery. The culture tolerated childish and hostile behaviour, and I heard colleagues openly plotting against one another, including threats of physical confrontation. Recruitment and performance conversations didn’t feel truthful or consistent, and that eroded confidence quickly. Workplace hygiene was also a serious concern, with visible mess outside the building and signs of pests.

I was pointed towards some of the clearly fake reviews and thought they needed to balanced so people wouldn't make the same mistake I did. Some people are nice, the old office location was good, certain people in management were swimming against the tide of negativity that comes from the top of this company. The ALF team are a diamond in a deep rough. Mainly because they didn't have to deal with all the BS that all the other brands did from senior leaders.

Too many for an exhaustive list, but a selection: - Cliques across the company, if you don't get on with one of the leadership's favourites you won't get anywhere in this company - Messaging at company level is all about positivity, as soon as it's 1-1 senior management are demoralising and often lie to your face - There was a round of redundancies last year which seemed to target the people who were good at their jobs and left those who were not. - There was a massive emphasis put on expensive consultants which the company paid huge amounts of money for, only for them to either be ignored when they agreed with what internal resources had already said. - Essential teams are under resourced, stressed, and constantly on the verge of quitting. This was true before COVID and has been made even worse after. - They are about 10 years behind when it comes to innovation. - Decisions are made based on who shouts the loudest, not who has the best data. All in this is, without doubt, the worst company I have ever worked for.