Pros
Employee benefits - flexi scheme, annual leave, hybrid working, car scheme, pension. Dedicated operational staff, with excellent experience.
Cons
The leadership culture has dramatically changed over the last few years in areas, especially in Public Health. Subject specialists are no longer consulted with, as senior managers presume they know best which has led to costly and time consuming decisions / changes in policy that make little sense. Challenge and feedback no matter the hierarchy was always welcomed but now senior leaders perceive it as criticism and it is not listened to and met with defensiveness. This has created a culture where many officer level employees feel frustrated, without a voice and under appreciated. Morale is very low across the board. There is very little opportunity for professional training and employee development, depending what area you work for. Workload is unmanageable but feedback regarding this is ignored by seniors and welfare of staff is not considered. Some senior managers are very inexperienced people managers but due to reorganisation are now expected to manage operational services which has led to misapplication of policies causing disadvantages to employees and micromanagement, and inequalities. Lack of transparency around spending with some examples of extremely frivolous costs that can’t be justified. Seems to be a lack of understanding from senior managers that time is money with senior managers performing operational roles at a higher hourly rate when there is no need. Senior managers will justify and support their peers inappropriate behaviours even in the face of documented evidence, and there is a strong ‘us and them’ culture now. The culture has changed so much over the last couple of years- lack of voice, huge workload at uncompetitive salaries. It’s such a shame as it was previously a positive place to work.