Workplace Woes: When Legal Advice is Crucial
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
What I appreciate about KWS Saat is their dedication to important and impactful projects. These projects provide employees with the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and gain valuable experience. The company's focus on innovation and sustainability, making it an ideal environment for those who are eager to expand their expertise and contribute to meaningful work.
Schlecht am Arbeitgeber finde ich
What I find problematic about the employer is the lack of genuine support for employees' personal and professional development. There are significant disparities in the treatment of long-term versus newer employees, as well as between German and international staff. The presence of cliques and social circles (including managers) within the department creates a divisive atmosphere, further exacerbated by immature leaders who often interfere in employees' personal lives and show disrespect for seasoned staff. One critical issue is the practice of appointing new people as team leaders to manage employees who have more experience than they do. This can undermine team morale and effectiveness. It's crucial to place the right people in leadership positions; otherwise, hiring experienced employees to work under immature leaders does not contribute positively to the organization. These issues, coupled with inconsistent work conditions and a lack of effective communication, detract from an otherwise promising work environment.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
To improve the work environment, it's crucial to enhance communication channels between management and employees to build trust and reduce confusion. Placing qualified individuals in leadership positions is essential to retaining talented employees and maintaining a positive atmosphere. Additionally, overseeing how leaders spend the budget and tracking the performance of external agencies will ensure the efficient use of resources and foster a more transparent and effective organizational structure.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
In GMC the department was characterized by distinct social circles, and it was essential to align with one of those circles to fully integrate and thrive. This sometimes led to feelings of exclusion and impacted team cohesion negatively. Also there was a noticeable lack of respect for long-term employees, which affected morale and retention.
Kommunikation
One major issue I faced was poor communication during my evaluation. Although I was rated as a high performer and had work trips planned, suddenly, just one week after preparing for those trips, my manager and department head decided I was no longer fit for the role and wanted to end my contract. Since they couldn't find a valid reason to terminate my contract, they pressured me to sign an agreement. This decision was made without clear reasoning or discussion, despite HR being aware of the stress I was under. Their unprofessional behaviour led me to hire a lawyer. Even after standing my ground, I never received a proper explanation. My lawyer pointed out that if there were performance issues, I should have received at least one warning. Given these problems, I strongly recommend that current and new employees have a lawyer to protect their rights and ensure fair treatment.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
The work environment often lacked genuine cohesion among colleagues. Cliques and social circles within the department created a sense of division, making it difficult for some employees to feel truly integrated or supported. This lack of unity and mutual respect sometimes hindered effective collaboration and overall workplace satisfaction. However there are few colleagues who shown great support.
Work-Life-Balance
The company generally provides a work-life balance. However, some immature leaders interfere with employees' personal lives and activities outside of working hours, which can create discomfort and stress. This intrusion detracts from the overall positive aspects of the work-life balance.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
The team leader, in her first managerial role, openly admitted to struggling with team management, which affected our productivity and morale. My direct manager focused more on social activities, like bringing cake and organizing breakfasts, rather than on our professional growth and project success. She frequently shouted at me, which was unprofessional and witnessed by colleagues and work council. I even emailed her to request respectful communication as I valued the organization and wished to continue working there. The team leader frequently displayed dishonesty, which eroded trust within the team. Their tendency to lie created a toxic atmosphere, making it challenging for team members to rely on their guidance and decisions. This lack of integrity negatively impacted overall team cohesion and morale.
Interessante Aufgaben
The company provided a variety of interesting and challenging tasks that kept the work engaging and intellectually stimulating. Opportunities to work on diverse projects allowed employees to expand their skill sets.
Gleichberechtigung
The company struggled with maintaining equality among employees. There was a noticeable disparity in how long-term employees were treated compared to newer hires, with the former often feeling disrespected and undervalued. Additionally, there was a lack of equality between German and international employees, which created a sense of inequality and division within the workforce. This disparity impacted overall morale and cohesion.
Umgang mit älteren Kollegen
As I mentioned before there was a noticeable disparity in how long-term employees were treated compared to newer hires. Long-term employees often felt disrespected and undervalued. Colleagues would talk behind their backs, exclude them from social gatherings, and not extend invitations for informal activities like coffee breaks. This behaviour fostered a sense of isolation and division, negatively impacting the overall workplace atmosphere and team cohesion.
Arbeitsbedingungen
The work environment often included open areas where seating was on a first-come, first-served basis. This sometimes resulted in employees arriving to find no available workspace. Conversely, team leaders and heads of departments had their own dedicated desks, highlighting a disparity in workspace allocation. This inconsistency in work conditions added to the daily stress and made it challenging for some employees to maintain productivity and comfort.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
The company offers competitive salaries and career advancement opportunities, which can be very appealing. However, it's crucial to balance financial rewards with mental well-being. The demanding work environment and occasional lack of support can lead to stress and burnout. Prioritizing health of mind is essential to maintaining long-term productivity and job satisfaction.
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While KWS Saat is recognized for its innovation and sustainability, several employees have reported challenges with work-life balance, citing long hours and high workloads. Management styles have come under criticism for lacking support and effective communication. International employees often feel less supported compared to their German counterparts, leading to a sense of disparity. Additionally, there are issues with team cohesion and respect for long-term employees, who sometimes feel excluded from social activities and decision-making processes.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
The company promotes the slogan "Grow with Us" and is developing a variety of online training programs. However, these programs are often available for free on external platforms. Despite this, my direct manager criticized me for taking a German language course after working hours, suggesting that I had too many personal commitments. This implied that my manager expected me to dedicate my personal time to the company, rather than using it to develop my skills and invest in my own growth. This lack of support for further education outside work hours was discouraging and seemed to contradict the company's stated commitment to personal and professional development. However, I believe this perspective is unique to her, as other leaders in the company do not exhibit this behaviour. It may be because she is new to a leadership position.