Switch Concepts Reviews
48% would recommend to a friend
(23 total reviews)
Julian Spector
100% approve of CEO
Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
Found 23 of over 27 reviews
Updated 11 Jan 2018
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- 5.020 Jul 2016Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee
Pros
I worked for Switch for over 2 years and I was very happy there. I would say it was the best job I had. My list of the main reasons are this: 1. the bosses were the best bosses I have ever had. 2. Whenever I needed flexibility for my hours there was no hesitation in giving it to me and making up time was done on trust which I really valued. 3. I enjoyed the work and the busy and friendly atmosphere and even though there were pressured days I always felt supported by my manager. 4. When the manager was off sick the boss was also very supportive about my work load. 5. Most of the people in the company are young but I like the way that all the ages get on and mix well.
Cons
I had to take a car to work and in an ideal world I would have preferred to work near public transport. There is a bus but I would have had to take a train as well.
7 - 1.031 May 2016Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearSouthampton, England
Pros
Talented people (most gone now) Free Parking/ lunch supplied Good employee events Decent holiday entitlement
Cons
Poor investment in people Lack of transparency from management No yearly perormance review/ salary review No pension
6 - 5.021 Jun 2016Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee
Pros
One thing is for sure it is never dull here and it really keeps you on your toes. I am always very interested in the innovation and strategy and it is good that there is more communication going on all round, it really helps. I would rate the people here on all levels very highly.I had a personal problem a while back and I was moved by the sympathy I received and reassurance from the management. Historically there were very few resignations here so it is understandable that those who had to go recently might be upset but companies do go through restructures and granted it does make things insecure for a while. I've been through redundancy before and it is was no different there. There aren't many other fast moving and innovative companies like this in the area. Even though there is always room for improvement I am giving 5 stars because here on glassdoor where the grumpy seem to congregate - that's what it deserves.
Cons
Slow communication can create rumors and some misunderstanding but that seems to be improving now.
10 - 5.015 Oct 2014Product ManagerCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsSouthampton, England
Pros
If you are a keen learner, and adaptable to change, then you will fit right in. As can be expected by joining such a fast paced company, there is little room for passengers, but tenacity, ingenuity, and passion shown by an employee is generally respected, recognised and rewarded. Switch offer an excellent working environment, flexible working where appropriate, generally an open door policy, and free lunches!
Cons
The steep learning curve can be too much for some. The sink or swim culture has lessened over time, but you will still be expected to prove yourself quickly. The location isn't ideal for most, located on a trading estate there is nothing to distract you during lunch. Transparency from the board may not be as fluid as they would like to think.
5 - 5.04 Jun 2014Anonymous EmployeeCurrent EmployeeSouthampton, England
Pros
You will learn a lot, work in a very fast-paced environment, and meet a lot of very talented, lovely people. If you're the type to dislike change; sit back comfortably; and expect everything to be spoon fed to you, Switch isn't the place for you. Switch is continually driving forward, and nothing stays the same for long. If you like to push the boundaries; innovate; work under pressure; and learn from practical experience, then it's great. If you do so you'll likely have your opinions and ideas taken seriously, and be respected and rewarded for them.
Cons
Typical woes of a growing company. Expanding in all directions at once, and struggling to expand and maintain structure and procedures to hold it all together. But just about doing so.
3 - 5.023 Jan 2017Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee
Pros
I meant to write this when I left. I wanted to say that when I joined I was made to feel very welcome and all the people are so friendly and upbeat and that is what I miss the most. I was also surprised at all the lovely food always on display in the kitchen. I had to leave for personal reasons but I just wanted to give this review because I have worked at other places that are not nearly as nice so I was sad to leave. I think they have the right culture. In my new place I do not have as many benefits and and it doesn’t have the same family buzz. There are very intelligent people there and it was very inspiring.
Cons
It is very specialised work so it takes a while to understand it all so it can be a steep learning curve
5 - 4.06 Jun 2015Software DeveloperFormer EmployeeSouthampton, England
Pros
1. No real HR department. 2. Everything is quite frenetic. Expect the entire managment sttucture to change every six months. This can give good career opportunities to anyone capable enough and confident enough to take them. It's pot luck to a degree though. 3. People there are a generally good laugh. 4. Laddish drinking culture (okay, not really).
Cons
1. No real HR department. 2. Playing musical chairs every few months with job positionshas made some employees quite bitter. 3. No benefits. Not even a pension. 4. A *lot* of talk about process. Normally following one of the frequent restucturings. 5. If you write a review of them on glass door they'll guess who you are will make fun of your review on Skype.
1 - 1.011 Jun 2016Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee
Pros
Absolutely nothing. As in every company, there are some nice people there but these people are overshadowed by the loud backstabbing ones.
Cons
Consistent redundancies with poor lack of communications with the "CRO" prancing around saying its for the best like its going to convince us it is. All employees are insecure and consequently there is a tremendous amount of back stabbing, lying... Management gets called into the Board's office where they are interrogated until they say something negative about another person... that person is then put on a "potential hit list"... The CEO is a wacko. He is self-centred and mean. A driving force behind getting people one against the other. He talks negatively about staff behind their backs and supports his one or two buddies who are clearly, to everyone else, a detriment to the business. The leadership team dont know what they want and dont trust anyone in the business. You are guilty until proven innocent. The consistent higher expensive c-levels and consultants who dont know what they are doing. Some people are told that they are valued but then are paid at least 50% less than the market with no sign of an increase; ever. The office is out of the way and difficult to get to unless you have a car. A total nightmare.
5 - 5.013 Jun 2016Anonymous EmployeeFormer Employee
Pros
I absolutely loved my time at Switch. I loved the people and I learned so much from them that I will always be very grateful to all of you. There's amazing talent at Switch and the free food and parties are great. I wish you all the best and don't listen to sad individuals who had to go and become resentful.
Cons
I would say that sometimes, not always, communication between departments can be lacking so you get asked the same thing from different people when it would be good just to do it once to key people.
6 - 2.021 Apr 2016Web DeveloperFormer Employee, more than 1 yearLondon, England
Pros
Social culture wasn't bad when it was allowed to exist outside of work.
Cons
Blame-gaming management. It made for an uncomfortable and toxic environment where engineers didn't feel they could experiment without reprisal. Every conversation about things going wrong almost immediately lead into questioning who was to blame. In one case the operations director tried to tell the IT team that they were behind schedule (they weren't) because they went to get hot drinks in groups.
3
Switch Concepts Reviews FAQs
Switch Concepts has an overall rating of 2.9 out of 5, based on over 27 reviews left anonymously by employees. 48% of employees would recommend working at Switch Concepts to a friend and 50% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.
48% of Switch Concepts employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Switch Concepts 3.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 2.7 for culture and values and 2.6 for career opportunities.
