Something goes wrong, the answer is always is that it's a 'start up company' - Hospitality Associate Sonder Employee Review

Sonder will blame ALL problems on the fact that it is a start up, no matter the issue. Which begs the question, 'At what point is a company is not considered a start up?' That is just the blanket statement whether it be role issues, HR problems, process concerns, payroll, holiday pay, PTO, etc. With that being said, please understand as an employee you will be doing a lot of out of pocket things to get the job done. It is the expectation no matter what. You will need to use your personal cell phone (data, minutes, storage, number, etc) for all company related tasks like making calls with vendors, texting colleagues, downloading work apps and using storage on your phone etc. When I left the company, there was no cell phone reimbursement plan. That is all out of pocket (plus, their salary is pretty low based on market). Please note, you use your phone constantly. Employees are expected to pay for job related items out of pocket. You will be reimbursed via Expensify one week later but this can be upwards to hundreds of dollars. You will also be using your own vehicle for all work related tasks. Furniture pick up, guest issues, etc. Sonder does reimburse for gas but nothing for wear and tear. A HUGE issue is the underdeveloped HR team. I had many issues with being paid correctly, holiday time off, PTO and getting in touch with HR was a nightmare and basically like a shot in the dark. Employees are treated like hot potatoes with no one taking ownership of really helping. When I departed, I asked for a exit interview and suffice it to say, I am still waiting for that to happen. I've been working for quite some time and consider myself a professional, so when I accepted the opportunity to work with Sonder I was eager for the start up environment. Major let down. They already operate like the big corporations where employees are not appreciated and truly taken care of.