Pros
Working from home is the only real perk. The PTO policy looks good until you try to use it. Time off has to be approved months in advance, and you’re made to feel guilty for taking it because you’ll lose business and fall behind on unrealistic metrics. A benefit isn’t much of a benefit when you’re afraid to use it.
Cons
The micromanagement has reached an uncomfortable level. For years, recruiters were expected to record conversations without candidates’ consent. Now, with the new phone systems, managers can monitor text messages and listen to calls. None of this is going to improve business outcomes or recreate the profits the company saw during the COVID hiring boom.
On top of that, employees are made to feel like they are constantly on performance improvement plans, with unrealistic goals that are nearly impossible to meet. Targets are frequently adjusted or moved altogether, making it extremely difficult to hit metrics, earn bonuses, or make a meaningful income. It creates a sense that no matter how hard you work, success is always just out of reach.
Leadership has become increasingly unprofessional and, in many cases, unqualified. Fear and constant surveillance seem to have replaced trust as the primary management strategy. The compensation is no longer competitive enough to justify the environment.
As for the “Aya Listens” surveys, it’s hard not to question whether they’re truly intended to gather honest feedback or simply identify employees who are speaking up.
