Abusive CEO spoils what could be a great company - Software Engineer Files.com Employee Review

2.0
30 Mar 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Highly technical and competent co-workers (some of the best you will ever meet), overall code quality above par for software although not the best. Great in-person meet ups.

Cons

Abusive and micromanaging CEO, and the CEO is not just abusive to staff that has done poorly, but sets up situations for well-meaning high-performers to be likely to trip over a landmine of sorts. While I was there, the CEO would set a directive, my team would implement it, and then the CEO would change his mind and appear to have no memory of his prior directions. He even once asked who was the "stupid idiot" that decided something that he himself had decided a few months prior, and I even confirmed that it was his own original decision from our logs just to be sure. In another incident he issued punitive measures to some employees involved in using a feature he had insisted upon having built, for the act of building and using that feature. He consistently pushed unstable and un-reviewed code after-hours, which of course resulted in after-hours work, reducing engineer morale even further. Most of my time there I mostly observed the abuse he dished upon other employees (which is already demoralizing enough) while successfully diffusing the occasional ire he sent my way. I thought I could handle it, but it wore me down much more than I realized. I also recall two separate incidents where he decided some employee crossed an imaginary and ill-defined line, so he removed that employee's access to do much of the job he hired that employee to do, effectively hamstringing him. In both incidents, the affected employee was gone in fewer than two months.

Explore other reviews about Files.com

5.0
6 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I’ve worked at a few different sales orgs and Files.com stands out for a few reasons that manifest in my day to day. First, is the product. It’s real. IT solves a problem. Customers rely on it as it is the plumbing for data/files movement in their organization. I don’t spend my time trying to sell something that feels forced or is a “nice to have.” Completely believing in the value proposition and outcomes you’re selling is a breath of fresh air for any sales professional. Second, the team/people/culture is sharp and low ego. People are good at what they do. If you can follow a scalable, prove and repeatable process then this is a spot where you can shine. Low effort Prima Dona type BS won’t get you far here. Leadership is very pragmatic here. You’ll see that on some of the reviews because there is a strong focus on execution, accountability, and results. Trust is inherently given to do your job and supported when you need it. Effort is rewarded and performance is recognized. If you want to take on more, there’s room to do it and you will see tangible results by moving the needle org wide. If you’re someone who values a real product that solves real problems, a team that moves fast, and a no-nonsense culture then this will be a fit.

Cons

Being held to a high standard and being expected to apply yourself every day is expected here. With that being said it can be a bit stressful to perform all the time, especially on rough days.

2.0
31 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

One of the biggest advantages of working here is the company’s commitment to maintaining and continuously improving its platform. The engineering team is highly responsive, consistently enhancing functionality, introducing new features, and resolving issues quickly to ensure a smooth experience for both employees and customers. The company also offers comprehensive benefits and decent PTO.

Cons

The biggest challenge I experienced was a lack of effective management and leadership support. Managers often appeared to have little authority to advocate for their teams or influence decisions that directly affected employees. It was common to hear that concerns were understood and even agreed with, but that nothing could be done because decisions had already been made at higher levels. Over time, this created an environment where employees felt unsupported and disconnected from the decision-making process. Leadership communication and organizational priorities often seemed to be driven by the preferences and mood of a single influential individual, whose presence extended across nearly every required communication channel. This made the work environment feel unpredictable and contributed to low morale. Ultimately, I chose to leave because I felt I lacked the guidance, advocacy, and leadership support needed to be successful and continue growing within the organization.

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