It was good until it got bad.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
The atmosphere among colleagues was mostly positive, but interactions with management were often challenging. While flat hierarchies were advertised, the reality felt different. A lack of "commitment" was subtly addressed with hints to consider leaving the company. Since the layoffs in May 2022, the work atmosphere deteriorated significantly, with employees constantly fearing job losses.
Kommunikation
Communication was very poor. Restructuring and reorganizations were announced with little notice and minimal information. Team Leads were left to answer questions but were provided with almost no details themselves. A prime example is the outsourcing of customer service, which was decided and announced abruptly during the summer vacation period.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
Colleagues strongly supported each other, which was a great help during challenging times.
Work-Life-Balance
The work-life balance was acceptable for most employees. However, Team Leads faced immense workloads and received only limited support through onboarding or training.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
High turnover among Team Leads created instability. Decisions were made and communicated without much consultation. Team Leads were tasked with implementing unrealistic goals, and concerns were largely ignored by upper management.
Interessante Aufgaben
Interesting tasks were rare and had to be sought out independently. Frequent changes to the "ways of working" made the job unpredictable. Ideas outside the predefined scope were rarely entertained.
Gleichberechtigung
Leadership positions in the customer service department were predominantly held by men.
Arbeitsbedingungen
Technical equipment often failed but was replaced quickly. The open-plan office was noisy, and meeting room technology frequently malfunctioned. On the positive side, there was a large terrace and amenities like free breakfast.
Umwelt-/Sozialbewusstsein
Sustainability was emphasized, but partnerships with less sustainable vendors contradicted these efforts.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
The salary was below the market average. Stock options (RSUs) came with high taxes and restrictive sales windows, making them unattractive, especially considering that Klarna is not even publicly listed. There were also cases where employees earned more than their supervisors after a promotion. On the plus side, salaries were paid on time, and benefits like transportation reimbursement were available.
Image
Klarna's external image was better than the internal reality from May 2022 onward. Multiple layoffs and the dissolution of entire teams eroded trust in the company.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Internal career changes were possible, but advancement without specific qualifications was limited. The company was previously supportive of further education, but this was discontinued in 2023.