Root loves to talk about empowerment, innovation, and people-first values but in practice, those ideals stop short of reality. Development opportunities are extremely limited unless you’re part of the inner circle. Promotions and recognition often come down to who you know, not the quality or consistency of your work.
Leadership tends to be reactive rather than strategic, and there’s a growing disconnect between senior leaders and the people actually doing the work. Feedback is requested often but rarely acted on. Employees who voice concerns, whether about culture, fairness, or workload, are often dismissed or quietly sidelined.
HR has also lost credibility. Employees who have filed complaints or raised legitimate concerns rarely hear back, and follow-ups are inconsistent at best. It creates an environment where people don’t feel psychologically safe or supported, and that erodes trust across every level of the organization.
The culture that once felt modern and people-centered now feels performative. Behind the polished image, many employees are quietly burning out and/or planning their exits.
