I have worked at several companies, and this was by far the worst management experience I’ve encountered. The leadership group—expats, former expats who “went local,” and long-serving local staff—operate with an old-school mentality and little respect for employees. Recognition is nearly non-existent: you will rarely hear a simple “thank you” for your work.
Instructions are often unclear and change from day to day. When you follow directions, you can be told that the task is no longer needed, which feels like deliberate undermining. Questions are frequently met with dismissive or insulting responses (“You don’t even know that?” / “How many times do I have to explain?”), or with counter-questions that feel like traps. Public scolding is commonplace despite the company promoting a “flat” organization; managers sit on the same floor and everyone can hear when someone is berated. Management tells employees to ask questions, but the atmosphere discourages approaching them.
Remote work was contractually allowed once a week, yet managers created pressure not to use it and effectively denied the option. They often refused to respond to Teams calls, making it clear they had no intention of supporting remote collaboration. HR did not enforce the contract or address the situation, leaving employees with no real remote flexibility. At the same time, workload expectations were unreasonable, with constant pressure to finish tasks “by today” or “by tomorrow,” regardless of feasibility. On top of that, managers frequently vented their personal frustrations directly onto subordinates, further eroding morale.
As a result, the team learns to survive by avoiding mistakes and not drawing attention—good people leave when they find better opportunities. HR does not seem to be able (or willing) to address the behavior effectively. If you value respect, clear communication, and psychological safety, this is not the place for you.
