• Communication is poor between and within departments - like an endless dance where no one is ever on the same page.
• Expectations are often unspecified and substantive feedback lacking – which is interesting given the coaching model and purported adoption of SMART goals. Feedback, when provided, generally relates to what you’re doing wrong and is used to justify extending probationary periods or otherwise penalizing you.
• Along with your garden-variety office gossip and internalized misogyny, there is an overall culture of condescension, in which incompetence is presumed and even peers treat you like a subordinate. It’s very strange. Many are not accepting of those who don’t conform to a specific personality type – if you’re not a prototypical bubbly extrovert, you're going to have a hard time.
• As others have noted, the benefits are lacking, which seems more reflective of the company’s priorities than their monetary situation (some deep pockets here), as they’d rather drop thousands on rebranding and orchestrating work events under the guise of morale boosting.
• Unsurprising, but HR deals in platitudes and buzz words – lots of prattle about how they live out the company values. Diversity seems performative, like another quota to fill and brag about during orientation.
• There's a push for new hires to work 100% on site, as dictated by those working from the comfort of their home - rules for thee, not for me.
• There is an undercurrent of nepotism and favouritism - so if you happen to have a relative or friend employed with Smythe, there's your in.
