RIVR AI - werkgeversreview Technical Recruiter bij RIVR

* Smart people * Great product * High paced startup (if that's what you are into)

RIVR (formerly Swiss Mile) is a startup with ambitious goals, interesting technology, and many talented and motivated people. I joined the company highly motivated and excited about the mission and what we were trying to build. Over time, however, I found the working environment increasingly difficult to sustain. The workload is consistently very high, with long working hours, frequent late evenings, and occasional weekend work becoming the norm. Teams are often understaffed, which is acknowledged internally, yet expectations continue to increase. This can create a constant sense of urgency and pressure. The company culture places a strong emphasis on availability and physical presence. In my experience, performance is often associated with time spent in the office and responsiveness rather than outcomes. Flexibility, including working from home, feels limited for a modern tech startup and often requires justification. There is also a noticeable level of micromanagement, including in senior roles. Communication can be challenging. Important decisions are sometimes made informally in chats, documentation is inconsistent, and priorities shift frequently. At times, leadership alignment was unclear, which made it harder for teams to understand direction and focus. This can result in teams working in silos and uncertainty about what is most important. Feedback mechanisms exist, but in my experience, concerns raised through surveys or direct conversations rarely led to visible changes. Over time, some employees become hesitant to raise issues, as it feels unlikely to lead to improvement. There can be a gap between stated company values—such as trust, ownership, and openness—and day-to-day practices. Mental health and wellbeing could be better supported. High pressure and sustained workload can lead to burnout, which is often treated as an individual issue rather than a systemic one. Support processes may feel formal and limited once someone begins to struggle. This company may suit people who thrive under constant pressure, rapid change, and unclear structures. For those who value flexibility, strong trust, clear communication, and sustainable workloads, the environment may be challenging.