PHMG reviews

3.3

52% would recommend to a friend

(847 total reviews)
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Jason Daye

58% approve of CEO

53% positive business outlook

PHMG has an employee rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars, based on 847 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The PHMG employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Media & Communication industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

847 reviews
1.0
Nov 2, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Things can’t really get worse

Cons

Working at this company feels like stepping back into a Victorian-era factory. There’s no genuine care for employee wellbeing, no trust, and no strategy. It’s so bad they are paying employees to leave 5 star reviews on here. Clueless and Disconnected Leadership: Management are entirely out of touch. They don’t understand the challenges employees face. KPIs are changed whimsically without logic or transparency. Long-term strategy doesn’t exist — only reaction. We recently had a feedback session where employees openly shared how things could be improved. What a waste of time. Management pretended to listen, then carried on as if nothing had been said. Toxic, Micromanaged Environment: The atmosphere in the office is toxic. Many employees have mentally checked out — not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been worn down by how they’re treated. It’s not uncommon to see people crying on the floor. We’re told not to talk to each other, never to use our phones, and not to be visible in front of senior management. It’s infantilising and humiliating. Management’s obsession with control extends to everything: only one work-from-home day is allowed. We used to be able to pick but now it must be taken on a Wednesday with a stand up scheduled at the beginning and ending of the day to ensure everyone is working full hours. Speaking of hours, there’s no flexibility whatsoever - you can arrive early, but you won’t be allowed to leave early. Core hours? Forget it. This is a 4 day in the office role with strict rules. Your head will feel like it’s in a blender in this job because you won’t have any time to yourself. No bonding with colleagues — just relentless non-stop working. Even your WFH is monitored closely. It’s incredibly backwards and out of synch with modern working life. Unachievable KPIs and Misleading Pay: The KPI system is fundamentally broken. Around 65% of your commission is dependent on factors completely outside your control — like when clients decide to leave and if they are saved. A completely different team deals with that issue but you’re penalised for it, making your earnings unpredictable and unfair. The advertised OTE is pure fiction. In reality, most account managers earn much less. Mass Attrition and Denial: The attrition rate is shocking — around 11 account managers have already left this year, with more on the way. Yet leadership remains baffled as to why. Instead of addressing the core issues, they deny that any problems exist. Gaslighting management: The company briefly introduced a “Pro Rata” system, but it was a watered-down version that was later quietly scrapped. When employees complained, management tried to gaslight everyone into believing it had simply been “adjusted” through KPI changes — which is nonsense. The truth is, you’re still penalized for taking annual leave, and genuine wellbeing support simply doesn’t exist. You also don’t get sick pay for your first year. A Company Stuck in Time: The company operates with outdated systems and processes — we literally spend hours copying and pasting emails into CRMs, filling and ticking boxes. It’s like being back in the 00’s. Even basic things like dress code flexibility are treated as a privilege rather than a norm. It’s 2025 — most companies have moved past archaic dress codes, especially when you aren’t physically present with clients. But not here. Your equipment? The laptops provided regularly crash and need restarting everyday. The monitors are old and small meaning you can’t read reports and emails properly. Keyboards, mouses? Forget it. All of this massively reduces efficiency and productivity.

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PHMG Response
8mo
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback and for your years of service at PHMG. We’re genuinely concerned to hear that your experience has been so challenging, and we want to acknowledge the effort and dedication you’ve given over this time. We also want to clarify that PHMG does not pay employees to leave reviews — all feedback on Glassdoor is voluntary and valued for the insight it provides. We hear your concerns around workload, KPIs, technology, and flexibility. These are all areas we are actively reviewing, including improvements to systems, tools, and work arrangements, as well as ongoing efforts to enhance support, wellbeing, and career progression opportunities. Hence us rolling out Salesforce across Client Services in 2026, and the adoption of lots of new systems resulting in lots of automation across 2025. We encourage you, and anyone with further insights, to reach out directly to your Employee Council Member or your department lead. Your experience and perspective are invaluable as we continue to build a modern, supportive workplace for all. — People & Culture Team, PHMG
1.0
Nov 2, 2025

Burnout and turnover

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The people you meet in your team

Cons

Outdated style of management. Outdated CRM. Outdated processes. Outdated culture. Outdated attitudes toward flexible working. Outdated leadership diversity. The only way things can get better in this company is if there’s an overhaul of senior management at the top, which will probably never happen. Too much ego running the ship with no emotional intelligence, old fashioned ways of managing people and a cringeworthy lack of care for employee wellbeing. Client Services staff are well and truly burned out and drained but there’s no accountability from anyone higher up. Constant pressure and change of targets/moving goalposts to then make people have to shift gears every 5 minutes and be on edge all the time… then get blamed if we don’t meet the next unrealistic expectation set out (and not even made properly clear). Major decisions like KPIs/targets are rushed through with no real thought put in. But sure it’s alright, they only affect our pay and our livelihoods during a cost of living crisis… Genuine top talent cannot flourish when you’re having to do your job with one hand tied behind your back: 450+ clients to work, unsociable hours in the office, an excruciatingly manual CRM, lack of resource, and directionless leadership with no sense of long-term planning, which inevitably makes top talent leave (in droves). It’s on-hold music for crying out loud and we work with clients who are across the ocean on Zoom… why do we need to be in the office 4 days a week please.. c’mon now. Get with the times, get with the real world.

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PHMG Response
8mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for your many years with PHMG. It’s great to hear that your team has been a positive part of your day-to-day work. We're concerned by some of the feedback to have given and would encourage you to use one of the channels available to you to escalate these issues. We always encourage speaking with your direct line manager in the first instance, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, our Workplace Champions are available to offer confidential support and guidance on next steps. Alternatively, the formal grievance procedure, available in the Employee Handbook, can also be followed. We are committed to modernising our tools, processes, and ways of working, Hence us rolling out Salesforce across Client Services in 2026, and the adoption of lots of new systems resulting in lots of automation across 2025. — People & Culture Team, PHMG
5.0
Oct 30, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The job is very hard but it is worth it! You just have to throw yourself into the business, understand the products and immerse yourself in the culture. It won't be for everybody, but I'm really enjoying the place now i have done over 12 months here. It's a fast paced entrepreneurial business which feels like a good move so far. When I first joined, I wasn't sure about the culture and 'vibe' in the office but I have to say that I have been here now over 12 months; it's much better than I originally thought. The culture is certainly unique, but now that i understand who the business are, and what the expectations of me in this role are, I feel much more settled and happy that i made the choice to join PHMG. Its a challenging role for sure, we have high client bases compared to other AM roles I have done, and yes we don't get to work as home as much as I would like but I knew all this before I joined. I would like to progress here and see where it takes me, the new progression plans / structure that i have heard about sound great and would be much better than what is in place at the moment. A plan of how to progress and what that means at each level as an AM sounds like a great idea, just hope it happens sooner rather than later.

Cons

The tech can be frustrating, I've certainly had a few issues with my laptop but nothing that wasn't sorted quickly by helpdesk. Dynamics is TERRIBLE but we are moving to Salesforce in the new year which will improve as I have used this before so I know what is around the corner, it can't get any worse than Dynamics! Parking is very difficult and there's a LONG waiting list to get a spot but close to met stops from Manchester city centre so not too much of an issue.

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PHMG Response
8mo
Thank you for sharing such a detailed and thoughtful review. It’s great to hear that, after 12 months, you feel settled, understand the expectations of your role, and are enjoying the fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture at PHMG. We’re especially pleased to hear that you’re excited about the new progression plans — we want everyone to have a clear path to grow within the business. We hear your points about technology and parking. It’s good to know that Helpdesk was able to quickly resolve laptop issues, and we’re looking forward to the move from Dynamics to Salesforce, which should make day-to-day work smoother. For parking, we appreciate your patience and encourage team members to liaise with Facilities to secure a space where possible. Your suggestions on departmental meetings, visibility of management, and front-line input are very welcome. Engaging with teams and creating opportunities for everyone to share ideas is something we actively encourage, and it’s great to know you’ve noticed positive changes already. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience — it’s feedback like this that helps us continue to improve and support our teams. P.s. financial comms on the EOT are coming this week, so keep an eye out for those, — People & Culture Team, PHMG
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Glassdoor has 853 PHMG reviews submitted anonymously by PHMG employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if PHMG is right for you.