International SOS reviews

I held back on writing a review because this terrible experience is now in my past, however the general trend that is emerging on Glassdoor is absolutely accurate and I want to reinforce it as a warning to potential future employees. This is a company that fires capriciously, promotes nepotistically and as "lost touch with the real world" says, offers little or no duty of care to its employees whilst trying to package this as its key strategic market focus. There is a general air of instability: many long-term employees suddenly disappear. Some of the very senior management appear to morally bankrupt, with one Regional head serially dating his secretaries and other direct reports, only to limit their options or move them out of the company at the end of each dalliance. The general criticism levelled at ISOS by its clients is that they are arrogant. This is certainly the case. There is no interest in reaching an agreement which matches client needs: the core product, membership is mandatory. Only with this utter waste of money, packaged air "service" can you access the consulting, supply chain, staffing etc services. If you are in a situation where you need work or to gain international exposure, go for it but be careful. If you are one of the growing army of INSEAD MBAs that has a choice of employers I urge you to keep walking. The matrix structure of this organisation means that every service / product has a group manager and every employee has a direct manager. Every division (ops / medical / sales) has a further head. Each owns their domain and are highly territorial. The complexity of coming to any form of decision is so dense that approval to send a productisation template document often takes weeks and almost always takes days. The matrix structure permeates the company so no matter which level you get to there is always a thick mesh of approvers waiting to pounce on your faux pas / missed CC email. My daily email load at this company was 150 - 200 received and at least that amount sent, with the content mostly rear-guard / defensive correspondence, internally and externally to frustrated clients. Heaven forbid you don't answer a phone call 24 hours per day or respond to email whilst on holiday. It is viewed as a mistake worthy of formal warning.

Forget the company‘s slogan HUMAN TOUCH that‘s not for you. Forget your name you will be just a CSE in this company Forget about having a solid career and focus on making that 1 to 2% salary increase yearly and getting that bonus linked to the company‘s overall performance which will usually disappoint you! It does not matter what your professional background or skills are, your pay will be the same as the others and once you are experienced you‘ll even get more on your plate than the others for the same pay! For the company you are just filling a chair,you go today you‘ll be replaced tomorrow...by someone on the base salary. Don‘t expect your manager to value you more than necessary,retention is inexistent in this company. All departments are understaffed and you will struggle with workload,don‘t expect support or sympathy. Forget HR they just don‘t care. Better don‘t go to them with anything,they just want to keep their jobs. I only know one who dared to care and they let the person go! If you experience discrimination...HR will go out of their way to to whether undermine it and if they cannot they try to put it under the carpet,you´ll be given the opportunity to escalate but you will be ignored. And if that annoys you,deal with some of the line managers,you‘ll have a variety from too ambitious to care to bully to lazy. The boss is detached from the office realities,he surrounds himself with complimenting line managers even if bully or lazy.There‘s no accountability as long as they execute. There‘s a mentality amongst higher management of be happy you‘re working here! If you tell them you‘re worth a better pay,the response is:REALLY ARE YOU SURE,you‘ll be then ignored and they will wave goodbye when you resign. Progress is a fairy tale,you can apply but expect to be ignored or the recruiter speaks to you in a bad manner. Not to mention the disciplinary system in place for sick days and disregard for your health. Chairs are dated and desk assessment is offered when the chair has already messed your back! It is just about profits and about management having a good life (you get the leftovers) while you struggle to live on 22k in one of the most expensive cities in the world. London is too expensive to live on less than 30k as a minimum to have an alright standard of living.Take your time to look for something good for you and your future,don‘t waste your time applying... If thinking to move from abroad have a good read of the UK labour laws before coming...you may find it worse than in your country! Within 4 years 80% of the people whether have left or were fired... Hope this helps you make the right choice!