Pros
The campus is nice. Facilities are top notch with a lovely canteen and a fantastic amount of parking if you commute by car. The regular working people are great. The people I worked with are the only thing I miss about CDL since leaving. Very diverse and accepting. Compassion around maternity/paternity and being able to be there for your children. Flexible working is great but I understand its true flexibility differs department-by-department depending on the manager. My experience was overwhelmingly positive. Very community driven, giving back to the Stockport and wider community with charity driven incentives mainly. Apprenticeship scheme always felt like a great success for those lucky enough to get on it.
Kontras
Empire building micro-management. Significantly below market average wages. Wage increases were poor. "It's been a difficult year" in our annual review letter but "record profits" in the company announcements and future plans. Very demoralising. (I left and got a £17,000 pay rise at my new employer for the exact same position, seniority and responsibilities.) Felt like school. Yes Sir, no Sir, three bags full Sir. Pass exams to make the company look good or it will negatively impact your career. Progression felt only actively available for those who are "in the club". Lots of very rude management types on a power trip. Lots of weird inter-colleague relationships, including extra-marital. Somehow this company seems to breed it, never experienced anything like it before. Work/life balance was poor with out-of-hours expectations.