Teneo’s work environment is defined by long hours and significant stress. The egos of senior leaders are a dominant feature of the company’s culture, requiring employees to navigate unwritten and unspoken rules of engagement with them. You will not be given the playbook for this you will have to figure it out alone.
For young consultants, Teneo can serve as a stepping stone, providing 1-3 years of experience before moving on to better opportunities. However, I’ve seen junior consultants repeatedly saddled with increasing responsibilities without any corresponding compensation for the added workload, stress, accountability or effective guidance and support.
This approach eventually becomes the status quo. While taking on greater responsibility can be a way to grow, the lack of recognition and proper compensation leads to alarmingly high attrition rates and overall unhappiness and stress. People don’t mind working hard, but doing so without acknowledgment inevitably breeds frustration and discontent.
I don’t use this term lightly, but the only way to describe the culture at Teneo is toxic. The company has the foundations to offer a strong and fulfilling career, but in practice, several recurring issues often get in the way. Challenges such as poor work-life balance, inconsistent application of policies, limited progression opportunities, and a lack of trust and respect for employees can make it difficult to fully realise that potential. Instances of favouritism and inappropriate behaviour, including bullying, have also contributed to a culture that at times feels misaligned with its stated values.
