Recommend XKL to your worst enemies - Engineer XKL Employee Review

1.0
Jul 2, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Free coffee Easy to find parking

Cons

Just as many reviews before this have echoed, there is a huge problem with nepotism at this company which extends to the top of the ladder. These really are the only people that get perks. During my time at the company, there were easily double digit numbers of contractors hired and fired and the problem was almost never the contractors. Several of them were scolded or even yelled at for various reasons in front of other employees. Everyone not in the inner circle is viewed as an expendable and easily replaceable even though the technology is so obscure and niche it takes years to understand. Most product decisions are guided by the CEOs wishes even when all technical staff agree otherwise. The company tries to promote itself as a startup, but unlike most startups that don't make money this one somehow keeps lurching along. There have been waves of layoffs and firings even among technical staff. These were unwarranted but justified because upper management heard there were some people looking for other opportunities. People are unhappy at XKL because of the Big Brother atmosphere and constant reminder that nobody is trusted whatsoever. Threatening emails sent to the entire staff make certain nobody forgets it. Salaries significantly lag behind most other Seattle based companies and don't even begin to approach the averages. There is a paranoia for intellectual property security at this company which means no employee is trusted using any storage websites or even using a flash drive at their desk. This extends to any cloud based technological tools as well. Want to utilize the WiFi to save on your data plan while at work? Think again that's a security threat. The extent that the company guidelines are written to protect the company against its own staff is bewildering. Accomplishments are rarely recognized, but management is quick to point out failures.

Explore other reviews about XKL

5.0
Apr 16, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

XKL provided a great place to work and an opportunity that was made even better by how they handled Covid with their staff and customers. During this time, not only was my work acknowledged and praised, and more opportunities were given to expand my role. As an example, My role was given more leeway and autonomy to control the content and job outcome. Management had been very perceptive to changes, and provided strong support. Leaving was definitely a painful decision to make.

Cons

Based remotely from the Company head office meant to travel to/from the office was cumbersome or not possible during Covid. Not the fault of the company - but I missed the human interaction.

2.0
Apr 10, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very good developers at the time

Cons

No support from the C-Level

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