Micromanagement as a corporate strategy - Anonymous employee Bondora Employee Review

Hi, This is one of those reviews that’s hard to read but important to hear. Thank you for taking the time to write it all out so openly. You’re right about many things. We’re a company of around 200 people, and yes, ~6% of us sit in executive or leadership roles. That can feel like a lot, especially in a structure that’s intentionally flat and hands-on. At Bondora, we don’t do ivory towers. We do proximity, sometimes to a fault. But it’s part of our DNA: people roll up their sleeves, regardless of title, because we care deeply about what we build and how we build it. The pace and involvement that come with that setup don’t work for everyone. And that’s okay. Just like in any relationship, professional or otherwise, it’s about a mutual, conscious choice. What matters most is that both sides are aligned and willing to engage in honest feedback, course-correct, and grow together. That’s what we strive for, and it’s what your message is helping us do. Regarding team stability, reorganisations, and trust, these are areas we’re actively working on. Change is a natural part of scaling a business, but predictability and psychological safety are equally crucial, and I recognise that we still have work to do. The way people exit matters as much as how they join, and we’re working on how to handle both sides of that equation better. I’d personally love for our culture to feel a little less “cold Slack message” and a little more human, especially during the hard moments. On the HR comment: yes, there has been a transition and rebuilding, and I joined to lead the People team in the thick of that. I won’t shy away from the challenge. The fact that you’re still here and still care enough to leave this review tells me there’s something worth protecting and improving, and that’s what I’m here to do. So, thank you. For the clarity. For the care. For giving us something to reflect on and build from. — Olga Kikas, Chief People