In my experience, the organisational culture within parts of the Science & Technology team was extremely challenging. There were persistent issues with bullying behaviour, poor accountability, and a lack of inclusive leadership. Several members of middle management appeared disengaged from the technical work yet remained responsible for delivery outcomes, which often resulted in junior staff being blamed when projects faced delays or challenges.
Technical discussions were sometimes reduced to high-level presentations that emphasised buzzwords such as “AI” rather than meaningful scientific or methodological depth. This created frustration for team members who were trying to focus on rigorous scientific work and robust analytical practices.
There also appeared to be structural issues with progression and recognition. Opportunities for advancement often seemed dependent on informal networks or being part of a preferred internal group rather than on merit or contribution. When reviewing leadership profiles externally (e.g., LinkedIn), it also raised questions about diversity within senior roles compared with the broader workforce.
The working environment could feel particularly difficult for employees from minority backgrounds. I personally experienced comments and attitudes that made me feel singled out because of my race, nationality, and cultural background. Over time this significantly affected my confidence and wellbeing.
Another recurring concern among colleagues was a blame culture. When projects encountered difficulties, accountability rarely appeared to sit with leadership. Instead, scrutiny was often directed toward junior staff, including monitoring of working hours and minor issues such as arrival or lunch times. Several colleagues reported similar experiences and eventually left the organisation.
The company also went through a redundancy process during a financially difficult period. From the perspective of many employees, the decisions around who was retained versus let go were difficult to understand and contributed to low morale.
Finally, while there have reportedly been recent improvements, the maternity policy at the time was not particularly supportive. Combined with the stressful work environment, this made an already challenging period of pregnancy and early parenthood even harder.
Overall, I believe the organisation would benefit from stronger leadership accountability, a healthier workplace culture, more transparent progression pathways, and a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion.
