Prepare to get all the drawbacks of working for a startup without the benefits:
- Micromanagement is king there. Hope you like having to send a message every day on a special channel in Slack when you arrive at the office in the morning, so they can check if you were there on time.
- Do not expect flexible working AT ALL - they are the kind of company that would ask their employees to come work at the office, even if there was a break in the night before. They'd rather see you work all packed in a small meeting room and on a small table with all your colleagues rather than allowing WFH.
- Lack of transparency - passive-aggressive communication style is something you will need to get used to
- This is not a place where you will be heard. You will not have the space to propose new ideas, as everything has already been decided by the CEO. Many of the senior management (and employees) are scared of him, so don't expect your manager to support you when the CEO decides to get his head into your work and dictate you what you need to do. You’ll feel like a slave.
- Don't expect to get a promotion if you don't become friends with the CEO, which is the most toxic person I’ve ever dealt with. He’s unable to delegate any part of the business, resulting in having to deal with his toxic behaviour, and he will not trust you with the work you’ve been hired for until you can show that you are a docile little dog who will blindly do as asked. This is the case for Product, Design, Commercial teams at least.
- And don’t expect to report anything to HR, there are no HR people. You’ll be by yourself.
I feel so much better since I left this toxic environment, I wouldn't wish this to anyone. Not a good place if you want to care for your mental health.
