Long hours, manipulative team, and training consists of pointless work.
Pros
Opportunity to work on impactful IT projects and virtually zero budget restraints. Exposure to financial services environment Potential for networking with skilled professionals in the industry
Cons
Unfortunately, the workplace environment significantly detracted from my experience. The leadership style was overly authoritative, with frequent use of intimidation tactics, such as public criticism and inappropriate analogies (e.g., comparing employees to dogs with “too much leash”). This created a toxic culture that undermined morale. The expectation to work 60-70 hours per week, including staying late without clear justification (e.g., being required to stay past an announced early dismissal for Memorial Day, then being reprimanded for it), was unsustainable and disregarded work-life balance. Basic workplace amenities, like consistent access to drinking water, were neglected for extended periods, which further eroded employee satisfaction. Health-related accommodations were dismissed without a doctor’s note, despite clear requests, which felt dismissive and non-compliant with standard workplace policies. The office environment was also challenging, with excessive noise which echoed across the room (e.g., coughing, yelling) making it difficult to focus. Financially, the role was less rewarding than anticipated. After accounting for commuting costs, health insurance contributions, and local expenses, the net gain over my previous remote role (which offered full benefits and a healthier work-life balance) was minimal—approximately $1,000 monthly. This made the transition to an in-office role feel like a poor decision. Leadership and Culture: The management approach, particularly from senior leadership, relied heavily on fear-based motivation, with threats about bonuses and job security. For example, I was publicly asked to categorize myself as “competent” or “incompetent” on a whiteboard, which felt humiliating and unprofessional. The lack of open dialogue—recruiters explicitly stated that leadership was not open to discussion—stifled collaboration and innovation. The New York office reportedly enjoys perks like private chefs and baristas, but these benefits were absent in my location, creating a sense of inequity.
