Horrible management, even worse work environment - UX Designer Canonical Employee Review

1.0
Jul 3, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- competitive salary - fully remote work - week-long "sprints" every 6 months with fully paid travel and accommodation - an opportunity to network with very talented people (before they quickly leave the company)

Cons

- extremely high-pressure and stressful work. The company claims to follow a meritocratic system, but individual opinions don't matter and any employee initiative is frowned upon. - the management is notoriously horrible, with some managers exhibiting behaviors that can only be described as psychopathic. - employees are hesitant to seek promotions, as management is ever worse higher up the hierarchy. I have heard multiple stories of verbal harassment and humiliation in meetings from senior managers. - there is no compensation for overtime, but employees are encouraged to finish projects on time regardless of personal sacrifice. It is not uncommon to hear about coworkers working late or on weekends. - the turnover rate is extremely high, with employees either leaving or getting fired monthly. The company attempts to attract talent with promises of prestigious work in a progressive system, but the reality is an extremely rigid, toxic environment. - the company regularly hires employees from the Asia, Africa or Middle East with the promise of future relocation to the UK or an EU country where the company has a legal entity. However, I have never seen anyone successfully relocate. Instead, requests for relocation are quickly denied by management, making it seem like a false promise and a sleazy business practice. This tendency was more evident the longer I worked there. When I joined, I had a one-on-one meeting with a departing employee who told me, "The moment you start crying at this job, leave it and don't look back." I wish I had taken her advice sooner.

Explore other reviews about Canonical

5.0
Apr 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

very good. happy so far

Cons

could be better, like the time of application to final round

4.0
Jul 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Challenging technical work. Remote work flexibility. Amazingly talented colleagues

Cons

Improvement company processes and policies still a WIP, with possibilities of tentativeness till details ironed out

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