Terrible work culture in tech from CTO down. Stay away! - Recensione dipendente - Database Administrator presso ELLKAY

1,0
3 lug 2021
Consiglia
Gradimento del CEO
Pronostico commerciale

Vantaggi

Lunches pre-covid were paid, but the pay was low overall so there's that. People I got to meet outside of the IT umbrella seemed nice. Thankfully I never had to work on weekends or odd-hours, but that was more to do with the fact that they don't give out laptops to take home.

Svantaggi

I have no idea why some tech people are giving 5-star reviews, most likely forced by the management to drown out the genuine criticism here. Can't really say much for non-tech but they seemed happy with their jobs. Tech Work Culture: Terrible work culture right from the CTO down. Lots of Indian senior employees with really bad micromanagement tendencies. Most people spoke in their first language inside the office, in meetings etc., which was not English obviously. It was beyond unprofessional because it impacts not only promotions or your ability to learn but also your morale cause it happened ALL THE DAMN TIME. Hiring was done within their community which meant no fresh ideas coming from outside. Politics - The office politics was insane here. In hindsight it is not surprising, because if you hire unqualified people only because you known them through a relative or a friend, it means those people are un-fireable once they get in. Therefore those without any prior connections are left to pick up the slack and are constantly under a microscope with strict deadlines. The CTO Chintan Mehta - I need to have a special section for this person. If you are interviewing under her direct teams (which are most in tech) please run away! She is directly involved in the day-to-day and is unquestionably the worst manager I have ever seen. Far too many times I've seen her screaming at employees, micromanaging all the damn time, and the worst one - announcing mistakes for the room to hear. So the intention is not to make sure the person learns but to demean and shame them. I have never seen behavior like that in any setting - let alone in an office environment. She has absolutely no sense of what it means to be professional and decent to fellow employees. The day I found out I was leaving and the day I left the company were filled with incredible relief, and this person has got A LOT to do with that. Pay / Benefits / Career: Pay was very low for the amount of stress and dread I had to endure going in to work. Most techies are H1bs who would leave in an instant if their status wasn't tied to having continuous employment. There are no career development activities. In conclusion - there are a 100 other places where you could work in the NYC area. The only reasons someone should work in this place is if they're born in a particular state in India or if you're on H1b with nowhere else to go.

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5,0
5 gen 2026
Consiglia
Gradimento del CEO
Pronostico commerciale

Vantaggi

ELLKAY has a truly special culture that’s hard to find. Even as the company has grown, it continues to feel like a family-oriented organization where people are supportive, collaborative, and genuinely invested in one another’s success. Teams work closely together, leadership is approachable and transparent, and everyone’s contributions are valued. There’s a strong emphasis on work-life balance, which makes it a great place to build a long-term career. If you’re motivated and consistently perform well, there are real opportunities for growth and advancement hard work is recognized, and career progression is encouraged. The company offers the stability of an established organization while still maintaining a close-knit, “everyone knows everyone” feel, making it an enjoyable and rewarding place to work.

Svantaggi

One thing to know about ELLKAY is that it’s a growing company, so the environment can be fast-paced and requires flexibility. Like many organizations that are scaling, there are moments where priorities shift and teams may wear multiple hats, which can actually be a great learning opportunity if you enjoy expanding your skill set. Processes continue to evolve as the company grows, but that comes with clear expectations and supportive leadership. Overall, these dynamics feel like part of the growth journey rather than drawbacks, and the culture makes navigating change collaborative and manageable.

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Risposta di ELLKAY
1mo
Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed feedback. We’re proud to hear that our culture, collaboration, and commitment to work-life balance continue to stand out as ELLKAY grows. It’s especially meaningful to know that you feel supported by your team and leadership, and that opportunities for growth and recognition are making a positive impact on your experience. We also appreciate your perspective on our evolving environment. As we continue to grow, adaptability and continuous improvement are key, and we’re glad to hear that these changes feel like part of a positive and collaborative journey. Thank you again for sharing your experience—we’re grateful to have you as part of the team.
3,0
24 apr 2026
Consiglia
Gradimento del CEO
Pronostico commerciale

Vantaggi

I’ve been at ELLKAY long enough to have experienced both the “before” and the current direction, and the difference over the past year has been pretty noticeable. Since the new C-suite came in, there’s been a real shift in how the company operates. Communication is much clearer across the board, especially when it comes to priorities and timelines. Project direction changes still happen (as they do anywhere), but they’re actually communicated early and consistently, so you’re not scrambling after hours trying to catch up. One thing I genuinely appreciate is the focus on growth. Leadership and management actively encourage you to keep learning. There’s also been a push to modernize tools and workflows, which has made a big difference. For example, moving from older tools like Joomla and Adobe XD to more current ones like Webflow and Figma, and embracing AI where it makes sense. Benefits have also seen some updates. There’s been an increase in observed U.S. federal holidays, health plan incentives, and the 401k options are flexible (Roth + Traditional).

Svantaggi

Like any growing company, there are still occasional shifts in direction (but at least they’re communicated now).

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Risposta di ELLKAY
5d
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and feedback. We truly appreciate your perspective, especially as someone who has witnessed ELLKAY's evolution over the years. We're encouraged to hear that the improvements in communication, transparency, and organizational alignment have had a positive impact on your experience. Creating an environment where employees understand priorities, feel informed about changes, and have opportunities for growth remains a key focus for our leadership team. It's also great to know that our investments in modern tools, technologies, and employee benefits are making a meaningful difference. We believe continuous learning, innovation, and supporting our employees' well-being are essential to both individual and organizational success. Thank you again for recognizing the progress we've made while also acknowledging opportunities to continue improving. Your feedback helps reinforce the importance of maintaining clear communication as we grow.
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