I didn't know how bad it really was until I left - Anonymous employee Maple Employee Review

I really wasn't sure how or even if I was going to write this review but the way I was treated after I put in my notice was all the convincing I needed. Like you probably are now, I looked at the negative reviews calling Maple "toxic" and figured they were just from disgruntled folks exaggerating to bash the company. However after spending long enough here, any observant person would realize that word actually perfectly describes how some teams in this place operate. Let me give some examples. In my department (but admittedly not everywhere) work-life balance was non-existent. They use that term a lot when talking about their culture, but as an entry level employee you are expected to work 55+ hour weeks, evenings and weekends, or be reprimanded for not being a team player. Bringing this concern up to management results in them either moving the goalposts on when it would be fixed or gas-lighting you with “this is what working at a startup is like”. Senior management regularly gives critical feedback and picks apart an individual’s work in public Slack channels, calling it “how we learn and grow” despite requesting to have feedback provided privately. You are given absolutely zero trust or autonomy and micromanaged incessantly. Virtually every little thing you do requires approval, proof-reading, or a team discussion and it absolutely destroys productivity. Certain roles in the company were created with zero career path planned, and attempts to explore other roles within Maple and how to develop the skills they require are effectively stonewalled. When you eventually put in your notice to leave Maple, HR will ask you for some parting words to share with the company in the email announcing your departure. Don’t expect them to actually use your words though. Despite how positive and grateful you may have been in your response, they’ll just re-write it to suit their narrative to the company on why you’re leaving. That’s the type of place this is - they use all the nice HR buzzwords and make it seem like they care about people but in reality they only care about protecting their little clique. If any current employees reading this are surprised or confused, I implore you to pay attention. Speak to people outside of your department and learn what their experience is like. Listen for authenticity when they tell you that everything’s “great” at work. Some of you have fantastic managers who are amazing people that really care about you and your progress. But I know a number of you I spoke to before I left don’t feel that way. Have the courage to speak up, or if you don’t feel it’s going to change - just leave. You deserve better. To anyone considering working here, take my comments for what they’re worth. This is a 100% honest and objective account of my time here. Despite the above, I will say that if you are lucky enough to end up in the right reporting chain there is a really good chance many of the cons I’ve listed won’t apply to you and you will have a positive overall experience. You might even call it a great one. But if you aren’t so fortunate, your mileage will absolutely vary. Only you can decide if that’s worth the risk to you.