Not for someone with aspirations. - Recensione dipendente - Dipendente anonimo presso London Square

Good work environment and location

I was employed at this company for four months. Shortly after starting, I became seriously ill with severe pneumonia and bronchitis. Following medical advice, my GP signed me off to work from home during my recovery. Despite this, my manager refused to accept the GP’s note and did not permit me to work remotely. Instead, I was forced to use my entire sick leave entitlement to cover the duration of my illness, even though I was willing and able to continue contributing from home. When I returned to the office, I was made to feel that I was performing well and achieving expectations. My manager gave positive feedback and acknowledged that I was meeting targets. During my probation review, she raised concerns about consistency. I took this feedback seriously and made a concerted effort to improve, working diligently to show my commitment and to ensure my future with the company. She praised my improvement, highlighted my contributions, and introduced me to colleagues across teams — all of which made me believe that I was growing into the role and had a long-term future within the organisation. However, without any prior warning or indication, my contract was abruptly terminated — effective immediately. I was told not to return to the office the following day and was instructed to return my laptop and fob. I was not given any notice period or opportunity to respond. The decision came as a complete shock, especially given the positive feedback I had received just days earlier. The reason given was that, in her view, the role “wasn’t working out” and that we hadn’t fully covered the job specification during my time there — despite the fact that she was frequently unavailable due to other commitments, and I had taken the initiative to proactively learn and adapt on my own. The sudden and immediate termination left me feeling blindsided, disheartened, and undervalued, particularly after the effort I had invested in addressing feedback and proving myself in a new and challenging environment.

Even though there have been challenges, my direct colleagues and the sales department have been fantastic. They’ve been supportive and friendly, making my time here much more manageable and enjoyable. Their positive energy and teamwork have been a real highlight.

My experience working here over the past three years has been increasingly challenging. Initially, the company seemed promising, but over time, several issues have surfaced. The shift to a strict five-day in-office workweek, without flexibility or hybrid options, has been particularly difficult. Additionally, the benefits provided are minimal, and there has been a notable lack of pay increases and bonuses, while the workload has increased, further diminishing motivation and job satisfaction. Progression was promised however when mentioned in café meetings there was no framework put in place on how this could be achieved; weeks later, follow-up emails would state that they could not offer 'progression' at the time, without providing a valid explanation. A significant portion of my negative experience stems from working under the head of the department. The main issue is with communication, which could be improved; however, the head of the department is unwilling to listen. This lack of communication and support leaves team members feeling alone and neglected. The management style is inconsistent, being either overly controlling and micromanaging or providing no support at all. There is a noticeable lack of empathy and effective people management skills, which contributes to a tense and unpredictable work environment. The atmosphere often feels like walking on eggshells, with passive-aggressive communication being common. Recognition for hard work is rare, and there is little to no encouragement or support for career advancement within the team. This has adversely affected team morale and individual self-confidence. Furthermore, HR has been equally unhelpful, offering no support to employees or acknowledgment of these issues. When I requested an exit interview with the new director to discuss my experiences over the past three years, HR refused, stating that an exit survey would be sufficient. I felt this was inadequate, as the survey did not provide an opportunity to share my detailed feedback or discuss the challenges I faced. HR's reluctance to facilitate a direct conversation suggested a fear that many of the issues outlined here would be highlighted, thereby holding them accountable for unresolved problems.