The work-life balance was extremely poor, with employees frequently expected to work after office hours and on weekends without additional compensation. During one discussion, the CEO stated that the working hours were "24/7," which reflected the expectations placed on employees. Employees were rarely appreciated for their efforts but were often blamed for mistakes, even when the issues resulted from poor management decisions.
In my experience, the HR Manager handled employee concerns unprofessionally. Instead of addressing issues fairly, employees were often told that management paid their salaries and therefore they should simply follow instructions without questioning decisions. Employees who raised concerns often felt cornered rather than supported.
Office politics and favoritism significantly affected the workplace culture. The Tech director frequently used unprofessional and offensive language during workplace discussions, creating an uncomfortable work environment. Employees were often judged based on their salary or years of experience and pressured with unrealistic expectations instead of being guided or supported.
Smoking and vaping inside the office were also ongoing concerns. Despite employees raising complaints, the issue was not addressed effectively, leaving non-smokers uncomfortable in the workplace.
Job security was another major concern. The company had only a limited number of active projects, and whenever a client discontinued a project, employees assigned to that project were at risk of losing their jobs instead of being reassigned. This created constant uncertainty and made employees feel that there was very little job security.
Employees who raised concerns or disagreed with decisions made by the Technical Director often felt they faced negative consequences. In my experience, raising issues against the Technical Director could result in being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), creating a culture where employees were hesitant to voice genuine concerns.
Compensation was below market standards, there were no meaningful salary hikes despite increasing responsibilities, and employee recognition was almost nonexistent. The overall work environment created constant mental pressure and stress, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
