I worked in the Sheffield office as a coordinator for a year. This was honestly the most toxic work environment I have come across in my whole life. There was an expectation on my team to stay beyond my working hours & if I did leave on time be sure it was frowned upon.
The firm exploit staff by paying coordinators £16,000 and HR lure new employees in by promising "progression". It's only when you start your job you understand how much pressure the role put you under & not to mention high workload which includes working on multiple cases, drafting applications, letters & emails to mention a few. But what they paid was similar to that of a receptionist but expect you to do the same work as a paralegal. The job drains you of your life and your sanity. I knew a lot of people sticking it out due to financial reasons but hated the job.
Fragomen are the modern day slave drivers. Having only opened in January 2016 atleast 30 people have left by end of year and the office is STILL half empty. People are made false promises of progression but for the coordinator job you are closely monitored to the point each task you do is timed and target driven once people came to realisation, they left and its a constant cycle of recruitment.
There was also a sense of of separation between coloured and non coloured staff in Sheffield. In particular with management team in Sheffield who were known only to speak to and mingle with those of a White background. Progression internally in Sheffield was also given to those that were "close" to the manager in Sheffield. Promotion was done on a basis as to who you know and not your skills. For a world leading immigration law firm, this is worrying and I am glad I left that horrible possibly racist firm.
