Control Risks Reviews

Poor management, lack of real expertise, sales focus, not family friendly, inconsistent goals that change with changes in leadership, poor staff retention, brain drain. I did not feel I learned that much from the people I worked with, there was very much a "work it out for yourself" mentality.

There is, unfortunately, a long list and not enough space. But I will highlight just one - perhaps the most destructive one. As has been highlighted by many comments here, the biggest con is the company's toxic culture. Toxicity in all forms you can imagine from the top-down. This alone should already make you think twice about this company. A clear in-group and out-group sustains this toxicity. From the moment you step in, you'll understand the "acts" that go on. To avoid running afoul of the in-group, you'll have to participate in gossip and take great care never to offend its top leadership, even if not doing so goes against your core values and ideals. You'll almost have to become a lesser person to fit into the petty culture created by this in-group because all their members have extremely sensitive egos. It's tiring if you just want to come into a company to make a living, but its core members much prefer power plays and creating unnecessary conflicts just so that they have something to gossip about. And here, bonding = gossiping. Even if you are a lowly new-joiner and this is your first job, just know you won't be spared. People like to talk about people here – far too much. If you're a certain demographic and have good wits about you, tokenism and opportunities by demographic - 'nuff said. This is a British company. Simply because there might be others of your demographic in the company, please do not be deceived. Be smart - if they're still there, they're aligned to some existing key officer. If you've studied history, you'd know overseas empires have always been able to sustain dominance over the long term with the help of "local" supporters to quash critique from the ground. Sure, the possibility of being thrown under the bus even by someone to whom you might have had some affinity exists in every company. It is just uncomfortably high here. TL;DR. Even if you think you're someone who thrives in "toxic" environments, don't underestimate this one.