Not a healthy workplace culture, ridiculous expectations of staff - Project Manager Smiling Mind Employee Review

1.0
17 Jul 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good cause (mindfulness), and you could work from home sometimes and casual dress was fine, but that's about it.

Cons

Working here was a real low point in my career: I felt that leadership wanted everyone to act like robots and not think for themselves; they intensely micromanage their staff and Board/CEO gets involved in every decision. It was strange to have half the board and CEO on project related calls - just didn't understand the role of the board and governance. Also there's no sense that the 'mindfulness' and mental health they espouse is also for staff - the culture was very anxiety driven and toxic. Management and Board have "favourite" staff members who they invite out to private dinners and drinks, but not others, it's very unprofessional. I had a manager ask me to cc them in on every email I wrote at one point: that's deeply undermining and again, unprofessional. They espouse a happy/friendly/warm/calm exterior but beneath that is a very competitive, toxic culture. And they expect everyone to work 24/7 - I was scolded for not answering an email that came in on the weekend by 10am Monday morning. It's just a weird work culture. I notice they are always advertising roles at the moment: I would warn anyone considering applying that their culture is not what it seems on the surface. It's also a revolving door staff wise (people constantly leaving) and I can see why - many of us stay in touch and we all have similar stories. Beware.

Explore other reviews about Smiling Mind

1.0
15 Oct 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The app itself and mission are great My colleagues were generally lovely and passionate well meaning people The offices were great too and in a good location for me

Cons

The founders are very involved in every aspect of running the organisation and senior management just jump and do whatever they say. The founders seem to be mostly focused on 'looking good' and being seen to 'care' about mental health by establishing Smiling Mind - they don't seem interested in what will actually work and achieve the mission. I think they leverage their involvement to generate money from other business activities - it doesn't feel like they genuinely care. They also expect staff to work crazy hours. I came into the team from a very busy background (think: management consulting) and even my very solid work ethic was questioned when I wasn't willing to respond to every email within less than one hour. A super unhealthy, gaslighting culture. I left without a job to go to to protect my mental health as I had become anxious and drained from the culture and management.

1
4.0
20 Oct 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Dedicated and passionate team, values driven, flexible

Cons

Lots of change, can be hard to keep up with inertia and uncertainty

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