They have, and I assume always will, pay minimum wage and not a penny more. No bonuses for reaching targets. Incentives are poor (think £1 candle, bar of chocolate) No annual bonus or rewards for tenure. No double time for overtime, you're often not paid for any additional time worked. They offer you the time back, but it's incredibly difficult to take this.
The 'insight' centre is a call centre, so be prepared for this when being sold an entirely different job. If you want to work in a call centre, then of course you'll be just fine.
You'll have targets for dialling, and will be cold calling ex-customers of services e.g. banking, electricity, water providers, for their feedback. You will be told this is not cold calling. By definition, it absolutely is...albeit glorified cold calling.
The environment is very much like a call centre, and is micromanaged and handled like a class room. Staff are not treated as 'researchers' or 'adults', more like apprentices or GCSE children on work experience.
You're timed to the minute, whether this is for how many numbers you can dial or for how long you need to use the toilet for, you're on the clock. I'd not recommend for anyone who does not enjoy being placed under a microscope.
Lacking in diversity in terms of race, gender, sexual identity and religion. This causes barriers where reasonable adjustments and the approachability of management is concerned.
The environment can be very uncomfortable at times, management separate themselves from contact centre staff entirely. This applies both in the office environment and during recreational events such as Christmas parties etc. There is an 'us' v 'you' mentality. There does need to be a sense of hierarchy in any business, but this is complete segregation.
Management are very heavy handed. There is a culture of bullying and threatening behaviour exercised by management. They will give their opinion on your own personal difficulties/absences and on the whole, remain anything but professional and objective with their staff.
Management do not take action on issues surrounding bullying or sexual harassment.