The company says they are a startup. However, they have been in business for many years. There are no policies in place on the employee side (i.e. handbook, sick pay, etc.). Was sick for over a month and a half (started as Covid) to never being given a straight answer on if there was sick pay or a sick policy. Ended up working through fevers and staying sick longer than necessary from not being able to take a day off without knowing if it was going to be an issue.
Department specific:
Do not ask for clarification on the non existing policies or you will have a target on your back. It will be brought up in future conversations and used as an insult to you. Real words "I've been thinking about your need for process and policy.....I can only imagine how you feel in our world...."
There is a constant need to protect yourself from contradictory messages in Customer Success. No employee wants to feel they are giving 110% based on information provided from their manager, to only be told they are wrong when they follow the directions to a T. (And those directions are in writing)
Beware the flexible schedule and ample vacation time benefit. Each department's vacation is managed by that department's manager. Although the employee is accruing paid vacation time in their bank, even if there is ample coverage and it is not busy, you will be guilted about taking any of it. There may be a time when it is approved to only be denied closer to the time off request.
Weekends and holidays off are not a thing. You will be on call a few weekend days a month and be expected to work some holidays on call. The shift is 9 hours day (a lunch may or may not be available and you will lose it if you don't use it).
Words of management, "Raises are not on a timetable. There are increases in pay, but no process."
These may not be make or break issues for the next employee, however, I sure would have liked to know these things prior to starting.