Feels like going back to the 90s! - Research Executive (Qualitative Research) Acuigen Employee Review

1.0
Aug 23, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

the Ops team is fantastic, supportive and friendly

Cons

no flexibilities/WFH Sales targets for SRE with responsibilities of training and running the call centre, no specifics about these extra responsibilities (outside the standards SRE JD) and no sales targets were discussed at interview stage Training from senior members of staff non-existent Micromanaging and at the same time absent management lost in the midst of complicated excel sheets and procedures docs far too complicated for everyone to remember Verifile used to verify ID of new employees and they do contact EVERYONE you mentioned on your CV, not just your chosen referrals and carry out a credit check too! No procedures explained on how how to train/recruit new member of the interviewing staff No mobile phones allowed in the office (you get told off even if you use it at your desk during your lunch break) Lack of communication across all people in management so information gets lost and mistakes happen High turnover due to people not being valued, supported or rewarded As a new starter you are left at your own device to try and find out how things are done It felt like working in Quant call centres in the 90s whereas we are full-time employees not zero-hour contractors.

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Acuigen Response
2y
Dear Research Executive, We really appreciate your feedback following your short period at Acuigen – by listening to feedback we all learn and can improve. You are correct that personal mobile phones are not allowed to be used in the office/at desks (for Information Security reasons), but team members are free to use their mobiles in the break room or the superb café next door to our office; this is explained to new starters on day 1 of their induction. All new starters receive a written offer letter, contract of employment and job description outlining their duties and responsibilities before they join, and each new starter has an induction plan which details what they are expected to complete. Job adverts also make it clear that work is based in our Cranfield office and is not WFH. We provide a lot of training to staff, and this is often commented upon, team members say that they learn a huge amount during their time at Acuigen. We’re currently trialling a 37.5 hour working week, reduced from 40, and if this trail is deemed a success, it will become the norm in early 2024. Finally, you are correct that during 2023 we have had a turnover of staff, as have many companies. We are very proud of our current team, their work ethic, and the high level of service they provide to clients, which clients have come to expect from us. We are a small company and are proud to pull together at times to go the further mile for our clients. We’re sorry that you didn’t enjoy working with us, and wish you every success in the future. We are also sorry that we could not offer you another job when you asked for your job back after you had left the company. Team Acuigen

Explore other reviews about Acuigen

5.0
Apr 6, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice and smooth recruiting process. I had regular updates after each interview. The team is small and helpful. Full training is provided.

Cons

There are only 20 working days holiday comparing to 25 that most companies give you when you join. However you acquire a day holiday with service length.

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Acuigen Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience as an IT & Data Support Engineer at Acuigen. We're delighted to hear that you found our recruitment process smooth and that you appreciated the regular updates after each interview. We have sought to improve our recruitment process after receiving some suggestions a year ago! It's great to know that our small, helpful team and comprehensive training have made a positive impact on your experience. We understand your concern regarding the holiday allowance. While we offer 28 working days initially, including the 8 days bank holiday, it does increase with length of service - we aim to provide a balanced approach to rewarding long-term commitment. We continuously review our benefits to ensure they meet the needs of our employees; this year members of staff will get an extra day off for their birthday. Thank you for your feedback and for being a valued member of our team!
5.0
Mar 28, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The team is incredibly supportive and fosters a collaborative environment that encourages growth and innovation.

Cons

At this time, I haven't encountered any notable drawbacks during my experience with the company.

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Acuigen Response
1y
Thank you for sharing your experience! It's great to hear that Acuigen fosters such a supportive and collaborative environment. Encouraging growth and innovation is so important for a positive workplace. A core element of our strategy as a company: if we look after our team well, our team will look after our clients well!
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