As soon as you stop looking at the fun and fireworks, you realize that you’re working in a corporate hellscape. For as much as they talk about their values, you’d think that management would be the shining example of each one in action. Sadly, this couldn’t be less true. In times of trouble, it felt as though there were no safe people to talk to, including HR. HR actually earned a rep for being “the CEO’s cover squad”. I knew many employees who expressed frustration at how much was spent on parties and “swag” when our pay was below industry average. When we asked for better pay and benefits, there was “no budget”, so seeing the CEO’s lavish parties and pointless spending was a slap in the face.