- Despite claims of valuing diversity, there is little meaningful progress. There are few, if any, women in leadership roles, and under represented groups face barriers to advancement. The environment feels homogenous and unwelcoming for those outside the dominant demographic.
- Long hours are normalised.
- The company is slow to adapt to modern workplace standards, including genuine diversity initiatives (not just token ones).
- Short term profits are the focus over long-term cultural transformation. Both can be achieved together but you have to want it.
- Those that are well established within the organisation, rely on tight-knit networks within the organisation, which can perpetuate exclusion when these networks are predominantly male.
- Women and minorities face barriers like unconscious bias, lack of mentorship, and insufficient support, no matter how smart or hard working they are.
- There is a genuine lack of visible diverse leaders within the organisation which perpetuates the belief that success at Optiver requires fitting into a narrow mold.
- Despite all of the above points, management are resistant to real change.
