The worst place I've ever worked - Associate Director Kantar Employee Review

1.0
Apr 29, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Junior analysts are wonderful. Relaxed expense policy.

Cons

While glancing at the previous positive reviews I realized they were written by partners or HR interns. So here is my experience: 1) Just wrong: The biggest mistake in my life was the day I accepted the offer from MB Vermeer. What was I thinking? Everything went wrong from the very beginning of interview process – it took me 9 month to interview with a company, when I finally met a CEO (a highly manipulative character, with zero respect to everyone’s time). During the first month I joined the firm 4 people have left! Four! Crazy, isn’t it? April - a month when the company promotes and pays a year-end bonus. Before bonuses have been announced 5 more employees just disappeared from their desks in the middle of the day without saying “Good buy”. No care for people and their career. The management provided zero explanation to those who didn't lose their jobs. If you join Vermeer, you’ll be surrounded the environment of gossiping and favoritism. Maybe you’ll be even emotionally bullying from senior team – a couple of times I was witnessed when one of my colleague has been criticized for his accent and appearance. Also, take notice of the high turnover! 2) Work/life balance? You must be kidding. Expect to stay late every single day. If you leave on time at 7pm they see this as " oh you leave early ". There is no work life balance. No one cares if you work 85 hours a week, instead they will point blank ask you why you didn't work 100. 3) Salary: Employees are underpaid and overworked. 4) Promotion: You get rewarded and promoted based on how loud you are. No supports, no appreciations and no respect to design at all. Definitely not a company you would want to join.

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5.0
Jul 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice company to work for

Cons

Pay could be better for this role

2.0
Jul 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Kantar has talented employees, well-known clients, and strong research capabilities. I had the opportunity to work with knowledgeable colleagues, contribute to major accounts, support internal initiatives, promote the brand, and share expertise across teams. There are many people inside the company who genuinely care about the work and try to help others succeed.

Cons

My experience was ultimately overshadowed by what appeared to be deep favoritism, inconsistent leadership decisions, and a serious lack of transparency. Employees with decades of experience, strong performance records, valuable client relationships, and critical institutional knowledge were laid off in the name of profitability. At the same time, the company continued hiring new people into the same or very similar positions. This makes the claim of role elimination or cost reduction difficult to take seriously. It was particularly disturbing to see highly experienced employees removed, only for the business to spend money recruiting and training replacements to perform work that clearly still existed. In some cases, former employees or people with close relationships to leaders appeared to be brought back, promoted, or placed into stronger positions. This created a clear impression that personal relationships and internal connections could matter more than performance, loyalty, expertise, or contribution. Strong performers who consistently volunteered for initiatives, promoted Kantar’s brand and tools, shared knowledge, supported important client work, and went beyond their job descriptions were still treated as expendable. Remote employees and people from diverse backgrounds also appeared to be disproportionately affected. The overall message to employees was damaging: performance may not protect you, loyalty may not matter, and institutional knowledge can be discarded while leadership continues hiring elsewhere. This destroys trust, weakens morale, and sends the wrong signal to employees who are still expected to give their best.

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