The company overall strives to create a positive and supportive environment, but in this case, I found that middle management, my manager in particular, often lacked transparency and clarity in their communication. Feedback was vague and sugarcoated, making it difficult to know how to improve - contributing to burnout and not feeling safe to show up at work.
Conflicting priorities between leadership teams also led to confusion and frustration. Instead of fostering collaboration, I often felt like my attempts to find compromise and alignment were disregarded or met with criticism. This made the work environment more stressful than it needed to be. Gusto does not make any effort to encourage collaboration, and it shows in team morale.
Design leadership sadly picks favorites, and it's incredibly obvious. They manage out anyone who is a threat, or they don't like. Many designers left or were let go, leaving a culture of fear within the team. Unless you are one of the few who is a favorite with career growth potential, no one else feels safe. The hiring process is extensive, so people who get through the door are generally kind and smart.
While Gusto emphasizes being "Gusto nice," this culture masks underlying issues, making it harder to address problems head-on. It's important to know that the culture and management style may not always align with the company's values, especially if you're working under specific individuals.
