The interview process is a great sales pitch: small team, autonomy, and exciting goals. However, the company doesn't live up to this promise. While it is small, the CEO often exaggerates and micromanages the team, losing focus on revenue growth. In sales, I was frequently called or texted by the CEO, who doubted I was meeting clients and questioned the duration of my meetings. I was also asked to lie to a client, cancelling a meeting due to illness because the CEO did not trust my relationship with the newly won client. Sales is an act of care and nurture, while the CEO sees clients as a means to an end.
The CEO insists on physical presence in the office. If you are sick on an office day, remote work is not allowed and you won’t be paid. During snowstorms, you must come to the office without excuses. Even if you feel is it dangerous, he will also have the day be unpaid. Sick days are also unpaid. The CEO even considered installing a punch clock to track attendance, similar to a factory setting. If you work from home, a lack of laptop activity for 20 minutes results in calls and texts, making employees afraid to leave their computers for fear of being labeled low performers.
Commission structures are unclear and frequently changed to result in lower payouts, with the CEO claiming misunderstandings. Even if the commission clause is clearly written into your employment agreement, he will change this. If you receive commission, you may be required to sign a clawback agreement, allowing the CEO to withdraw the commission if you are fired or decide to quit, which is illegal according to a lawyer.
If you choose to resign, the CEO may pressure you to leave immediately without pay or overload you with menial tasks during your notice period. Additionally, the CEO gossips about employees' personal situations and shares when he is unhappy with others or when someone is on the chopping block, creating a very uncomfortable work environment.