This review is intended to help anyone who is looking at leaving their job and working for UpSkill Digital. If this can prevent even one person of the months of lasting emotional damage this company will cause, then it is a result.
The Sell
From the time of interview through to your first 3 months, you will be sold the dream. 'We're a vibrant start up that truly cares, we are growing rapidly and want to change the world. We let people grow and develop but really support you, too. We're one big happy family.'
The reality
Post 3 months. You'll start to see things happening and question whether it's okay. Your boss will start to treat you differently. You'll find yourself leaving work at 7pm and logging in when you get back home. Only to find it's not enough.
You'll be expected to be on call night and day, 7 days a week. They'll tell you this isn't the case but believe me when I say that once you are 3 months in, things change.
Other Cons
Sometimes you're paid late.
Sometimes you're paid incorrectly.
Sometimes you're spoken to in a way that would stand up in court as harassment.
You'll spend some time being best friends with the COO, Lua. In that time you'll feel like you have the entire world at your feet. Then one day you'll question something, or worse, you'll unintentionally threaten her position in the company.
Then things will change. Then you will be isolated, victimised and down right ignored until you leave or are sacked.
Mistakes will be made, maybe by multiple people, you'll take the blame and be made to feel like you've committed a crime. Your punishment will be felt across the company because senior management will talk to other staff members about it. It's a tactic to make you feel insecure. It works.
You'll be promised flexibility, they'll sell the dream that they're all one big happy family, but they're not.
Hiring strategy
Hire a few very good and high calibre employees on a satisfactory salary.
Make up the numbers by hiring 'Interns' and pay them a monthly salary that equates to less than minimum wage.
Leave them all their own devices with no training or on-boarding. make light of it and say 'welcome to the world of startups!'
When said interns are not delivering anything, sack them.
When good employees are burning out, sack them too.
Advice to anyone reading this
Usually you'll take one negative review with a pinch of salt, and quite rightly, but on this occasion, please do not read this and think "what an angry, bitter, ex employee."
If anything, please think twice on your decision and wait for a better opportunity.
