My experience with Instawork was a nightmare, and it's safe to say that it was the worst professional experience I've ever had. The onboarding process was an eye-opener to the company's culture. From day one, it was evident that leadership favored a management style rooted in fear and intimidation. The person responsible for onboarding new hires was particularly arrogant and condescending. Her attitude towards newcomers was blatantly rude, and she took every opportunity to boast about her own background and performance. This toxic behavior led members of my onboarding class to quit within the first three days. It was apparent that she had no qualms about letting go of new hires who didn't immediately conform to the company's expectations. Unfortunately, I soon discovered that many of my colleagues had endured similar experiences with her.
By the end of the onboarding process, I realized that I had been misled on every aspect of the role. The promise of a flexible hybrid job during the interview process was far from the truth. The requirement for sales reps to be in the office three days a week, with the possibility of a full five days in the office in the near future, added to the challenges. Strict rules about arriving at the office by 8 am and leaving after 5 pm only added to the oppressive atmosphere. The lack of desk space in the office further exacerbated the discomfort, and a Director in the office was a passive-aggressive micromanager who didn't prioritize work-life balance. It appeared that leadership was more concerned about punctuality than understanding why a significant portion of the team was far from meeting their quotas.
The job itself was entirely different from what they had promised during the interview process. It felt more like a glorified call center, with reps primarily selling to specific professionals. The average deal size was significantly smaller than expected, making it even more challenging to meet quotas. The company's insistence on hiring more reps despite market saturation only exacerbated the problem. The only businesses that could make reps reach their quotas were limited, and most of these had already been tapped. New reps had little to no chance of success, and the requirement to earn support only made the job more difficult. The payment structure often left reps with meager earnings.
The company culture was a true low point. Job security was practically non-existent, with constant threats to employment. Leadership made it clear that employees were replaceable and showed little appreciation for contributions. Work-life balance was discouraged, with expectations for long hours and active discouragement of the use of time off. Loyalty and personal sacrifices were expected from employees, but none were reciprocated in return. The lack of empathy from management and leadership was astounding. Leadership was one-dimensional and inflexible, with little regard for individual successes. Experiences with managers across the company were filled with challenges, including ghosting, speaking over employees in meetings, yelling, making inappropriate comments, and withholding opportunities. The toxic atmosphere was perpetuated by the same Director who openly gossiped about employees. It seemed that everyone had their hidden agendas, none of which appeared to align with the best interests of the employees.
Emphasis on Diversity & Inclusion was severely lacking within the organization. The entire sales team was composed of men, raising serious concerns about the company's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. This glaring absence of diversity left a strong impression of exclusion and highlighted the need for significant improvements.
In conclusion, my time there was an agonizing experience that left me questioning my career choices. The company failed to live up to its own values, especially the one they constantly preached: "act like an owner." I strongly advise against considering this job for anyone seeking a healthy and supportive work environment.
