A workplace culture that is detrimental to growth - Research and Fieldwork Executive Instinct Laboratory Employee Review

The impact that instinct laboratory’s workplace culture had on my mental well-being and sense of worth is difficult to put into words. When I first started at Instinct, I was incredibly highly motivated and excited about starting my career. My experience at Instinct not only left me feeling completely let down, but stripped me of so much of the self belief and positive mental outlook that I had built up from years of accomplishments. It’s difficult to articulate what is so toxic and detrimental about the workplace culture at Instinct, but here are just a few of the most crucial points: - Very poor delegation of duties and extreme micro-management. Employees are not trusted to communicate with clients and work is usually completely changed by management, with absolutely no feedback as to what could be improved in the future. This is not because staff are incapable (in my new job I speak with clients on a daily basis and write proposals for six figure projects with little to no editing), it’s because of management’s inability to let go. - Complete lack of feedback or employee reviews. In the year that I worked at Instinct, with the exception of one review (after two months), I had absolutely no opportunity to discuss my progress with any manager. Despite asking for my six month review, it never happened. This is absolutely detrimental to personal development and leaves employees feeling completely lost. - Pointless tasks that add no value to the business: for much of the time I spent at Instinct, myself and the research team were carrying out tasks that were a complete waste of time and energy. For example, four members of staff all spent an entire month creating materials for workshops that never took place. This leaves employees feeling devalued and demotivated. - No proper training and absolutely no investment in personal development. I asked for one day off to go to a free consumer insight conference in London - offering to pay for my own travel, accommodation and expenses - and was told no. Other cons include: - Poor kitchen facilities (nowhere to heat food) - Lack of flexible working - Lack of company perks and benefits (e.g. minimum holidays and pension, no sick pay) If you aren’t interested in personal growth and development and are happy to go to work, do very little and get paid- this is the job for you. However, if you are a young person wanting to grow a career, don’t make the same mistakes as I did and get drawn in by the impressive office and quirky decor.