Very Bad Company With Toxic Work Culture - Marketing Manager UK Hays Employee Review

1.0
Dec 11, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Some good colleagues nothing special.

Cons

Hays is a big brand so you have that backing, but it is a ruthless culture, backstabbing, shallow and unpleasant. Processes are old you won't learn anything new. I worked at Hays for a few months and was shocked to encounter the management in strategy and planning openly calling the team names such as bottleneck, and asked questions like, do you deserve the salary you are paid. I was asked to read my JD on the screen and was blamed continuously for the team's performance. I was told at the beginning of my role that one of my employees was linked to a senior management colleague, and as such would only be required to come into the office one day per week, while the other members of staff came into the office five days over two weeks. I was told that if you have a family member in Senior management, you will receive preferential treatment. Bullying was conducted openly on MS Teams and HR didn't say anything. Threats of dismissal were constantly given, and the line manager had no time to carry out 1:1 meetings.

Explore other reviews about Hays

5.0
Jan 23, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They have helped me land 2 contract, work quickly and are kind

Cons

I was the benefits were a bit more affordable

4.0
May 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place for new recruiters to gain experience. A lot to learn. Younger crowd, fun teams.

Cons

Competitive, people that weren't succeeding would be put on PIPs and eventually let go. Can be some micro-managing. Not all managers created equal - some great, some not so great.

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