Never seen so many people cry at work
Verbesserungsvorschläge
Management is aware of the emotional toll the work environment takes on employees. This is evident from the fact that signs have been placed in the toilets for those who need a moment to cry. While this indicates some level of acknowledgment of the problem, a more constructive approach would involve addressing the root causes of such stress rather than just providing a space for emotional release.
Despite being filled with talented and intelligent individuals, the current environment fosters stress and dissatisfaction. By addressing the issues of management style, workload expectations, and work-life balance, the company has the potential to become a more positive and supportive place to work.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
Working at this company presents significant challenges, largely due to the high-pressure environment and management practices. The atmosphere is often tense, with frustration and stress levels running high, making it difficult for employees to thrive.
They have instituted a disciplinary action where if someone makes a mistake, they are required to bake a cake for the team. While this is meant to be lighthearted, it ends up being more of a burden. In reality, it costs employees time and money to "atone" for an error, adding another layer of stress instead of focusing on constructive feedback and improvement.
Kommunikation
The company has made some efforts to address these issues by appointing dedicated roles like a trust person, an anti-discrimination officer, and the HR team. However, these measures have not been as effective as they could be. Concerns are often not handled discreetly or thoroughly, which undermines trust and exacerbates the already challenging work environment.
Work-Life-Balance
There have been multiple instances where I needed to pick up my child, but couldn't because the client was always prioritized. These tasks could have easily been postponed to the next day, but the company’s culture consistently places the client's needs above personal responsibilities, even when it’s not urgent. While the company offered compensation for overtime, what I needed was not more time off, but the ability to pick up my child when necessary. Employees also face the challenge of receiving work-related calls as late as 10 PM, and despite having a work phone, they're often contacted on their private phones, further blurring the boundaries between work and personal life.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
One area where improvement is needed is in how management handles mistakes. For instance, a minor error like a missed hyphen resulted in a disproportionately harsh response, with the statement, "there is no more excuse for this." This kind of reaction emphasizes the need for better anger and frustration management among the leadership.
Arbeitsbedingungen
The office environment is chaotic. This often forces employees to work from home because the office is simply not conducive to getting work done. Additionally, micromanagement is a significant issue, with tasks being broken down into extremely short timeframes—such as 10 minutes for one task and 15 minutes for another—leaving little room for flexibility or independent decision-making.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Promotions are sometimes given without corresponding salary increases, which can feel like empty gestures and do little to boost morale. In some cases, employees who are on the verge of leaving are suddenly offered higher salaries in an effort to retain them, indicating a reactive rather than proactive approach to employee satisfaction and retention. A more consistent and upfront recognition of employees' contributions could improve motivation and loyalty.