Toxic work culture and high pressure - Laboratory Technician SGS Employee Review

Employees are hired with the promise of a three-month probation period and proper training; however, my experience was very different. From the very first day, the environment was extremely challenging due to staff shortages and a large backlog of pending work. Training was poorly structured, and I was expected to learn multiple procedures at once without clear explanations or sufficient guidance. Breaks were inconsistent, with no proper coffee or lunch breaks taken on time. Compensation was very low for the level of responsibility and workload expected. Communication was also a major issue, as instructions were often unclear, and conversations were frequently conducted in languages other than English in front of trainees and employees, which felt unprofessional and exclusionary. Additionally, I personally faced racist comments from the supervisor in the Mineral Trade department. There was no acknowledgment or regret for such behavior, which contributed to an unwelcoming and toxic work environment. Overall, the workplace culture felt disorganized and toxic, with inefficient working methods, heavy workload, low pay, and no real work–life balance.