Pluspunten
I started with great enthousiasm, happy to support the local economy by joining a Belgian company with friendly colleagues. Unfortunately this changed drastically over the years.
Minpunten
My starting salary in 2020 was €2300 gross, without meal vouchers and with a second hand company car (audi A1). This was the bare minimum for someone with a master's degree in computer science. I accepted this, believing that with time and demonstrated results, my compensation would improve. Unfortunately, after two and a half years, several certifications and three positive annual reviews. I had received a salary increase of €88,76 gross - not taking into account the legally mandated salary indexation in Belgium. This was a major concern, especially considering the fact that I missed my own graduation to attend a mandatory training session and the unpaid overtime I had regularly worked. There was also a situation where I didn’t take a paid day off, even though I was entitled to it, in order to ensure that a client project was completed on time. When I raised the issue with management, they claimed they “forgot” to apply the salary increase. I was then given an additional €223 gross per month. One year later, my salary would be increased by just €20 net per month, while the rate charged to our client had been raised by €1500 gross per month. Despite positive feedback from clients - even the CEO of my first project congratulated me on LinkedIn on a certification after I joined another project -, my efforts were not appropriately rewarded. After nearly three and a half years of dedication, I concluded that LACO would only value me if I switched to freelance. I had received several other offers that would increase my gross salary with €1000 (and better fringe benefits), but I didn’t want to leave my interesting project at the client unfinished and without proper handover. As a freelancer LACO wasn't any better. The first year we agreed on a salary indexation, which had to be corrected because they "miscalculated" it. The second year they weren't sure they could afford indexation, because they needed to ensure their margins. Their margin was more than 25% and the rates to the client were indexed. After 5 years, LACO’s unwillingness to fairly adjust my rate and their focus on maintaining high margins over employee compensation made it clear that I had no future there. I have since moved on to a better opportunity.
