Deeply toxic culture. No attempt to resolve, only to deny. - Anonymous employee GLOCK Employee Review

1.0
May 15, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- The people in the junior and midweight teams. They are some of the most talented, hardworking, and supportive designers I’ve ever worked with, and they are genuinely what keeps the company functioning day-to-day. Many of us bonded through shared experiences of stress, pressure, and feeling undervalued. Without those colleagues, I would have left much sooner. - Exciting clients to work with sometimes (though you are likely to quickly get project fatigue when any innovation you bring to the table is repeatedly snuffed out) - You get to make coffee yourself!

Cons

Working at this agency was, unfortunately, one of the most toxic professional experiences I’ve had in the design industry. The root of many of the agency’s problems stems from the leadership culture created by the founder and CEO. There is a very clear “top-down” mentality where alternative perspectives, feedback, or ways of working are rarely welcomed unless they align with leadership’s existing views. Despite the company employing some genuinely exceptional designers and creatives, many employees are not given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully or challenge ideas constructively. This culture trickles down into the senior leadership team, which lacks diversity and broader representation (an important consideration anywhere but especially within the design industry where different perspectives make for better work!) During my time there, concerns around diversity and inclusion were repeatedly raised by staff, including requests for more balanced representation within leadership. Rather than these conversations being met with openness, they were often handled defensively and publicly dismissed. That created an environment where many employees no longer felt psychologically safe speaking up. A major issue across the agency is that employees often feel valued more for billable hours and timesheets than for the actual quality of their work, creativity, or contribution to culture. Long hours are normalised, flexibility is limited, and work-life balance is not meaningfully supported. Going above and beyond quickly becomes expected rather than appreciated which makes burnout incredibly common. Their mindset is 'if you don't like it here, the door is there' so I'd recommend not entering it at all. Another major concern is the lack of a proper HR structure. Raising issues internally never felt safe or productive, which is likely why so many former employees resort to leaving honest Glassdoor reviews instead (a few of which have seemed to ¿disappear? or get drowned out with verrryyy questionable 5-star ratings). Exit interviews also seemed inconsistent or absent altogether (same with annual reviews tbh), which contributed to the feeling that leadership was not interested in understanding why staff turnover remained high. I would encourage anyone considering applying to read the lower-rated reviews carefully rather than focusing only on the recent influx of highly positive ones. In my experience, the one-star reviews reflect the day-to-day reality far more accurately.

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GLOCK Response
1mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for recognising the talent, commitment and creativity of the wider team. We’re proud to work with many exceptional people across the agency and appreciate the contribution you made during your time with us. We’re genuinely sorry to hear that your experience felt unsupportive or that you did not feel able to contribute openly. Creating an environment where people feel valued, challenged and heard is something we care deeply about, even if we do not always get everything right. As a creatively-led business, we know strong opinions and high standards can sometimes create pressure, but it should never come at the expense of respect, wellbeing or psychological safety. We continue to evolve how we support our teams, encourage feedback and improve communication across the business. We also want to address a few points directly: We have standard working hours and working beyond these is not something we normalise or expect. Equally, we strongly reject suggestions that employee reviews are manipulated or inauthentic—feedback reflects the broad range of experiences people have had within the business, both positive and critical. On diversity and representation, our team includes people from a wide range of nationalities, backgrounds and disciplines we absolutely recognise the importance of different perspectives in shaping stronger creative work and a stronger company culture. While not every individual will experience the company in the same way, we do take feedback seriously and continue to invest in improving how we listen, support and develop our people. We sincerely wish you the very best for the future.

Explore other reviews about GLOCK

5.0
Mar 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Opportunity to help grow the company in new markets and sectors Wide range of different types of projects Collaborative team Flexible working that is helpful

Cons

High expectations on staff to progress Some work can be repetitive Smaller team than previously used to

1
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GLOCK Response
1mo
Thank you for taking the time to share this—very much appreciated. Structured flexible working, varied projects and a collaborative environment are things we invest in deliberately, so it's good to hear those are landing in the right way. On the team size; you're right that we're smaller than we once were, but that's been an intentional decision to sharpen our focus and ensure we're doing our best work in the areas we're strongest. High expectations are part of how we operate and we'd rather be honest about that than not—but we aim to make sure ambition is matched with support and opportunity individuals to progress. Best of luck for the future.
5.0
Mar 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Working at GLOCK has been an incredibly positive experience. It’s a company that truly values strategy, innovation, and long-term thinking. Leadership encourages creative problem solving and empowers employees to contribute ideas that actually shape the direction of the business. One thing that really stands out is how much the company listens to its people. Management actively seeks feedback and genuinely cares about employee perspectives, which creates a strong sense of trust and collaboration across teams. The culture is professional, supportive, and focused on excellence. If you’re looking for a place where your ideas matter and where you can be part of a strategic and forward-thinking organization, GLOCK is a fantastic company to work for.

Cons

Because the company holds itself to very high standards and operates strategically, the pace can be demanding at times and expectations are high. However, this also creates opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

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GLOCK Response
1w
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review and for being part of GLOCK for more than 10 years. Your long-standing commitment to the business means a great deal to us. We’re delighted to hear that you’ve experienced our culture as one that values strategy, innovation, and collaboration. Creating an environment where people feel empowered to share ideas and make a meaningful contribution is something we work hard to foster, so it’s especially rewarding to know this has been reflected in your experience. We also appreciate your balanced feedback regarding the pace and high expectations. As we continue to grow and deliver ambitious work for our clients, we recognise the importance of supporting our teams while creating opportunities for learning, development, and career progression. Thank you as well for your advice. We’ll continue to invest in open communication, professional development, and cross-team collaboration as we build on the culture that makes GLOCK such a rewarding place to work. Thank you again for your continued dedication and for sharing your experience.
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