Pros
-Pay is decent, but will never go up. -Opportunities for advancement exist, but on if the person above you gets fired. -Few people challenge or raise questions--people just go with the flow and keep the peace. -Performance is based on whether you show up, so it's not hard. -Expectations of productivity are very low, so as long as you show up, don't make a fuss, and get your work done, you're gold. -Perfect workplace for someone who was a C student. -CEO is a really nice guy, his heart is in the right place, and he'll absolutely look out for you. -Some employees are really great to work with, but they're getting fewer and fewer.
Cons
Culture: -Mediocrity is the expectation and progress is painfully slow. -There is almost no transparency into what the company is doing, where it's going, and how they're getting there. Ask a direct question and it's "deflect, dodge, or dismiss" to avoid sharing. -Openly hostile at times, chronically toxic at others. Offensive comments are openly been made in team meetings, jokes at the expense of others are common. -Leadership is generally lacking emotional intelligence, focus, and has little actual business or management experience. That team went through four different leaders in less than two years. -Diversity and Inclusion is sorely lacking. I was present for at least three offensive jokes at the expense of the LGBT+ community. Some individuals wear their political affiliation on their sleeve, talk about it at every opportunity, and will belittle you for not being smart enough to agree with them. -Some people's moral compass is from another planet. I've been in meetings where they PLAN how to pitch a lie to a customer so they don't get caught. Maybe instead put that effort into just keeping the promise in the first place? -More energy is spent concocting reasons to NOT do a thing than it would've taken to just do it. Comp: -Pay will never go up. -They push you hard toward a benefit plan that's cheapest for them, not better for you. -The "bonus" is a joke (and they twist the numbers to avoid paying it). -The retirement plan match doesn't get made until a year later and then they claim you're ineligible for it because you left before the match was made. -Pay is not equitable: the women on the team were making $20-30K less than their male counterparts. Business: -Financially, they have a horrible credit rating and rob Peter to pay Pay regularly. The accounting department is a mess. Expense reimbursements sometimes took two months but they won't give you a company card. -Lots of ideas around, but there's no follow-through or accountability to actually implement them. Suggestions and ideas to improve are dismissed almost immediately. -The CTO is crazy smart and one of the most grounded people there, but gets distracted by shiny objects and can't effectively lead the engineering teams. -The CMO has zero actual experience in restaurants or marketing, yet walks on water. Development / Skills: -You will have acquired almost no transferrable skills when you leave. -You will receive no formal onboarding, training, professional development, or acquire any new skills. -Your patience and temperament will be tested daily. -Your initiative and drive to learn more and contribute more internally will be met with a hand slap and being told "that's too hard for you."
