For 7 years, I genuinely enjoyed my job. The team was fantastic, the environment was fun and supportive, and I felt valued. I worked hard and believed I had a future here. It was the kind of place people were proud to work.
But in just one year, all of that was completely destroyed.
A change in management brought fear, control, and a total breakdown of trust. Suddenly, everything became about micromanagement and punishment. Minor issues that could’ve been resolved quickly with a bit of common sense turned into exhausting disciplinary investigations. The managers involved acted like they were starring in a crime drama — more focused on playing wannabe FBI agents than behaving like professionals. The atmosphere became tense, joyless, and toxic.
I was reprimanded for sharing light-hearted moments with colleagues. Meanwhile, I raised far more serious and inappropriate behaviour by both my senior manager and another manager — and it was simply dismissed. No consequences, no accountability. The hypocrisy was blatant and disgusting. It felt like staff were being targeted while those two got away with anything.
When I told my senior manager that I’d be leaving a review, I was met with a legal threat. That said it all — rather than reflect or take responsibility, they tried to silence the truth.
Then came the internal email — suggesting people had left due to their own behaviour, when in reality, it was the actions of management that drove them away. That email caused me real stress. I went off sick and was initially denied sick pay by my senior manager — a cruel decision later overturned by a far more experienced and competent senior.
I gave this job everything. I stayed loyal through tough times. And in the end, it left me mentally exhausted and bitterly disappointed.
Over the last 12 months, my life has been far from enriched.
