Fast-paced and talented team - werkgeversreview Anonieme werknemer bij Contra

- Clear sense of direction about where the company is headed - Highly skilled and very smart teammates across all functions - Fast moving and demanding but in a way that is sustainable - Very strategic but also user centric approach to product development meaning that you can see the impact of your work in a short amount of time most of the time

- Being a startup, it's always very fast paced which can be unsettling for some - There's very little room for technical experimentation unless it completely aligns with product priorities

The compensation was great. There were many competent and shining individuals who worked there. There were several nice benefits and retreats that were comped. The work was challenging and pushing the bounds of web development.

The demands were ever increasing. People were laid off throughout my entire time with the company, and while hiring more engineers was always right around the corner, it did not happen. Layoffs were sudden, and those fired were immediately locked out and unable to say goodbye to coworkers. Some felt that the statements by management were not accurate about the circumstances around layoffs. Taking on additional work and responsibilities does not result in raises, as team leads will attest. There was no yearly raise. Work life balance was not respected. Leadership said in a meeting that he was going to push people to their limit shortly before a huge layoff that cut the engineering team almost in half. I don't know why he felt that was a good or even appropriate thing to say, but it says a lot about the culture: you're going to be pushed until you break. And when you break, you're out the door.