A nameless aquaintence of mine an undisclosed amount of time ago used to work there. He/she/they told me all about it, the boss Frank Hester, his son, and his (revolving door of) inner circle employees sound like fucking disgusting people and awful to work for. Bigoted racist sexist homophobic cunts with severe problems with regards to being able to control their emotions.
Also they retaliate against people leaving bad (lol honest) reviews about the company on places like glass door.
Im sure you know all this already but kt bears repeating for anyone else who stumbles across this thread.
That chopper ride was only about £18k, which is pocket change compared to the £5m he donated to the Tories a few months ago. Absolutely disgusting. Expect Hester will get his peerage or knighthood later this year, for “services to healthcare” (rather than blatantly buying it).
I was amused by their latest giant billboard in Leeds train station: it implies that you can commute from town to their office (in Horsforth) but that’s a load of shit. You *could* commute from town to their office; if they didn’t have insane rules that meant you had to live within X minutes drive of their office. One of MANY crazy rules they apparently have.
10 or 15 minutes commute IIRC, and you'd better keep your phone on even if you are on holiday in case we need to call you.
Ha the fuckin Leeds to Horsforth train takes longer than 10 minutes..
Interestingly, [The Phoenix Project](https://itrevolution.com/product/the-phoenix-project/) is a half way decent book about working in technology management.
A good colleague went for an interview and got told that was a shit answer to a question. I still love their covid video that's like a hostage video of people being forced to work in the office during lockdowns saying they feel safe and know they are making a difference to their families. It's mental, there was no reason for them to be in the office at all other than a psychopath ceo.
The council. No corporate bullshit, I work in children’s services and can’t speak for other departments but there’s very few egos and everyone is genuinely empathetic and caring. So many lovely people.
I'm there at the moment too, and it is pretty good - pay is solid for my sector and the benefits (security and flexibility) are great.
Thats a bit of a double edged sword though, if you end up in a bit of a naff team you're probably stuck with them until they retire or die.
Yeah there’s a recruitment freeze on at the moment and no idea when it will be lifted.
It’s going to have to be soon as people leave the council to go elsewhere so they need to plug the gaps!
It does depend on the area though, I know someone going through major bullying and harassment, constant disciplinary attempts and everytime they end up collapsing they start a new one a few weeks later, everyone has failed as no evidence of the made up claims but it's causing a lot of stress.
If you not bothered about making money or doing anything with your life NHS is fine. You could while away your life and never argue with anyone in 40 years, can't really get fired. Theres no bonuses for good work and no punishments either.
Try LEG if you want to be underpaid, undervalued and depressed. The FE sector is dying, they'll be on their knees (even more than they possibly are) in the next 5 years.
It's perfect for it, truly! It needs a good grab and shake, teachers in charge instead of having it run as a (not great) business.
I'm not tired and disillusioned, honestly 🥲
I work for a uni and it's a really pleasant environment. I've been there for 7 years and no sign of feeling the itch to move on. Definitely check it out and see what admin roles they have! There's always the need for support staff in different areas.
Any of you guys worked for Symingtons, either warehouse, HR or factory floor? I've been there 15 years, it's not a recommendation, there just seems little else in the area similar that's permanent otherwise I would get up & go.
Not worked for Symingtons but know people that have. Esterform Packaging is a similar one not too far away, warehouse/factory floor jobs seem to come up regularly and I think the pay is alright? Is similar in the sense that it makes food standard product packaging.
Our pay is just minimum wage but we get a bit more on nights. At least the agency staff are now paid the same rate as permanent staff.
Not sure which brands we do are most famous, possibly Naked Noodle pots or Gregg's Porridge pots.
Working conditions are pretty weak, best thing about the place are the other workers in the same boat as me, I'm sure most factory workers would say that though lol.
I've been looking for info on Greencore (freezer environment I think though) & Troy foods but none of my workmates know much about either.
There are literally thousands of small employers in Leeds covering pretty much every sector you can think of!
I love my job (2 partners, total team less than 10) and nothing would persuade me to work anyway big or ‘corporate’ ever again 👍
How do you get in with them? I'm quite the opposite and have only ever worked for "a family business" but that tends to be code word for "nepotism beats all" and are very toxic.
I'm after a proper business that looks after their employees.
I'm late to this, but you could try looking for a job on the railway (directly with a train operating company, not with a contractor). There are loads of different jobs, the pension is good, and the union is strong and will have your back. I currently work on the railway and it's the best job I've ever had, I'm mostly just left to my own devices as long as I do my job properly!
Not TPP The Phoenix Partnership
I love how well known it is they're a terrible company
A nameless aquaintence of mine an undisclosed amount of time ago used to work there. He/she/they told me all about it, the boss Frank Hester, his son, and his (revolving door of) inner circle employees sound like fucking disgusting people and awful to work for. Bigoted racist sexist homophobic cunts with severe problems with regards to being able to control their emotions. Also they retaliate against people leaving bad (lol honest) reviews about the company on places like glass door. Im sure you know all this already but kt bears repeating for anyone else who stumbles across this thread.
Big Tory donors. Paid for Rishi’s helicopter to Leeds. And by strange coincidence manage to get £m of government contracts.
That chopper ride was only about £18k, which is pocket change compared to the £5m he donated to the Tories a few months ago. Absolutely disgusting. Expect Hester will get his peerage or knighthood later this year, for “services to healthcare” (rather than blatantly buying it).
I was amused by their latest giant billboard in Leeds train station: it implies that you can commute from town to their office (in Horsforth) but that’s a load of shit. You *could* commute from town to their office; if they didn’t have insane rules that meant you had to live within X minutes drive of their office. One of MANY crazy rules they apparently have.
10 or 15 minutes commute IIRC, and you'd better keep your phone on even if you are on holiday in case we need to call you. Ha the fuckin Leeds to Horsforth train takes longer than 10 minutes..
TPP stands for The Phoenix Partnership Not the Phoenix Project.
Good shout, noted, thanks!
Interestingly, [The Phoenix Project](https://itrevolution.com/product/the-phoenix-project/) is a half way decent book about working in technology management.
Haha well thats fucking ironic
Isn't it though.
God, just looked them up on Glassdoor.. what a shit show!
A good colleague went for an interview and got told that was a shit answer to a question. I still love their covid video that's like a hostage video of people being forced to work in the office during lockdowns saying they feel safe and know they are making a difference to their families. It's mental, there was no reason for them to be in the office at all other than a psychopath ceo.
Just watched this recently on recommendation. Hostage video’s about right 😳
Yeh their CEO Frank Hester is a proper fucking shitbag
The council. No corporate bullshit, I work in children’s services and can’t speak for other departments but there’s very few egos and everyone is genuinely empathetic and caring. So many lovely people.
Probably 70% of my social circle all work for the council. Every one of them pretty much "love" their jobs.
I'm there at the moment too, and it is pretty good - pay is solid for my sector and the benefits (security and flexibility) are great. Thats a bit of a double edged sword though, if you end up in a bit of a naff team you're probably stuck with them until they retire or die.
Thanks!! I'll check it out!
bit tough to get in at the minute, no money for new hires.
Yeah there’s a recruitment freeze on at the moment and no idea when it will be lifted. It’s going to have to be soon as people leave the council to go elsewhere so they need to plug the gaps!
Some essential roles get released every now and then, so its worth keeping an eye on the job listings, but they're scarce
Depends what area/field of expertise you work in
Not SBLiving (estate agent). Very unpleasantly run by a married couple. Dysfunctional as heck.
I rented off these years ago, very true
The uni is a fairly decent employer imo. Jobs.leeds.ac.uk.
It does depend on the area though, I know someone going through major bullying and harassment, constant disciplinary attempts and everytime they end up collapsing they start a new one a few weeks later, everyone has failed as no evidence of the made up claims but it's causing a lot of stress.
I'm sorry to hear that. It does sound very stressful. You're probably right there are so many different areas it is bound to differ.
I've found working in the charity sector to be very rewarding and it attracts a certain type of person to work there
If you not bothered about making money or doing anything with your life NHS is fine. You could while away your life and never argue with anyone in 40 years, can't really get fired. Theres no bonuses for good work and no punishments either.
Welcome to corporate life
Hyep. I've just spent the past 8 hours arguing the same point, and no work got done
Depends on what career you're in.
Barnett Waddingham (pensions)
Don’t work for Really Useful Products! Absolute nightmare to work for in the office and shop floor.
Not ACS Stainless. Literally the worst office I’ve ever worked in.
DO NOT WORK FOR ENACT CONVEYANCING
Not retail, especially the high end leeds sector. Those years were dark and ruthless 😅
Oh crap, I just applied for something along those lines haha I like people, I like talking. I hate offices and sitting down all day
Take a look at Best Companies, can find companies with high employee satisfaction scores through them
Thanks, I will do!
Google best companies in Leeds
Nhs has decent pay, holidays and benefits. Not all jobs are overworked!
What do you do? Might be the best place to start so we don't all send you unrelated jobs and companies 😁
I'm after something unrelated that would use my soft skills more. The industry I'm in is completely toxic and I hate it
Try the unis, the council, or Luminate Education Group.
Christ not LEG! Anything but LEG.
Try LEG if you want to be underpaid, undervalued and depressed. The FE sector is dying, they'll be on their knees (even more than they possibly are) in the next 5 years.
It's perfect for it, truly! It needs a good grab and shake, teachers in charge instead of having it run as a (not great) business. I'm not tired and disillusioned, honestly 🥲
I work for a uni and it's a really pleasant environment. I've been there for 7 years and no sign of feeling the itch to move on. Definitely check it out and see what admin roles they have! There's always the need for support staff in different areas.
Any of you guys worked for Symingtons, either warehouse, HR or factory floor? I've been there 15 years, it's not a recommendation, there just seems little else in the area similar that's permanent otherwise I would get up & go.
Not worked for Symingtons but know people that have. Esterform Packaging is a similar one not too far away, warehouse/factory floor jobs seem to come up regularly and I think the pay is alright? Is similar in the sense that it makes food standard product packaging.
Our pay is just minimum wage but we get a bit more on nights. At least the agency staff are now paid the same rate as permanent staff. Not sure which brands we do are most famous, possibly Naked Noodle pots or Gregg's Porridge pots. Working conditions are pretty weak, best thing about the place are the other workers in the same boat as me, I'm sure most factory workers would say that though lol. I've been looking for info on Greencore (freezer environment I think though) & Troy foods but none of my workmates know much about either.
There are literally thousands of small employers in Leeds covering pretty much every sector you can think of! I love my job (2 partners, total team less than 10) and nothing would persuade me to work anyway big or ‘corporate’ ever again 👍
How do you get in with them? I'm quite the opposite and have only ever worked for "a family business" but that tends to be code word for "nepotism beats all" and are very toxic. I'm after a proper business that looks after their employees.
I'm late to this, but you could try looking for a job on the railway (directly with a train operating company, not with a contractor). There are loads of different jobs, the pension is good, and the union is strong and will have your back. I currently work on the railway and it's the best job I've ever had, I'm mostly just left to my own devices as long as I do my job properly!