Pros
The workload is demanding, which may appeal to those who thrive under pressure and learn quickly or are trying to build a portfolio.
Cons
There is a recurring pattern of shifting expectations and deadline manipulation. Deliverables are completed based on clearly communicated timelines, only for those deadlines to be revised after the fact. These revised expectations are then used to justify negative performance feedback or disciplinary action. This creates an environment where employees are effectively held responsible for standards that were never clearly or consistently set. The culture discourages trust and collaboration. Coworkers are implicitly incentivized to report minor issues or missteps, often as a way to gain favor or protect their own position. As a result, people work defensively rather than collaboratively, and genuine teamwork is largely absent. HR does not operate as a neutral or reliable resource. Professional boundaries are frequently blurred, favoritism is visible, and standards of conduct are applied inconsistently. Substance use at work-sponsored social events occurs openly among a select inner circle, while others are expected to turn a blind eye. This unprofessional behavior further erodes confidence in firm and reinforces an uneven power dynamic. Overall, the office culture is insular and clique-driven, resembling a high-school hierarchy rather than a professional workplace. Employees are often judged on background, social signaling, and perceived status rather than the quality of their work. Those who are not part of the “in” group are routinely moved between low-priority projects under managers who appear more focused on deflecting blame than supporting or developing staff. I observed this pattern repeatedly with others before eventually experiencing it myself. By the time the pattern becomes clear, meaningful recourse is no longer possible. Unfortunately, this behavior appears to be embedded in how the firm operates from the top down.