When pink glasses coming off... - Anonymous employee PayPal Employee Review

2.0
20 Feb 2018
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Co-workers and benefits. The sense of community is astounding. Gained really good friends here. Support (on and off work) from co-workers is unbelievable, and few examples of people ready to walk over your dead body to achieve things wont diminish this as a Pro. The benefits are also very good: VHI cover (half paid by company); paid sick leave (up to 6 month covered); sabbatical leave (every 5th year - paid month off); free gym; long 4 days working shift of 10.5 hours (0.5 - unpaid lunch time), but gives you 3 days off, which is great.

Cons

When I started, I thought it's a job for life, but gradually I became disillusioned by my initial feelings. Company's motto/slogans are preached (drilled to you) constantly, but in reality exist only on paper. For example "being open honest and direct" is working only when your thoughts are aligned with management/company's ones, I was warned in 1 on 1 session, not to voice my opinion, as it is highlighting deficiencies in companies rules/behaviour. Growth available is only horizontal, as vertical promotions are done through "who you know, not what you know" basis (favouritism). One of the few "proper" adequate managers even recommended just to "smile and wave" on everything, get along so called. How can this be an option in innovative company. By my nature never backed down or backed off from work, but recently came across such a situation: helping out other team (full time basis) in performing their tasks with training given 1,5 hours of up-skill, while normal agents and people after me receive full blown training of 1-4 weeks, on top of that my metrics were measured as theirs!!! That's fair?! Even though I receive constant praise from other teammates (through helping in their tasks with my expertise), my direct team leader continue to say that is just part of my duties, however other people receive awards for less significant contribution. Consequence - good specialists are staying at their current tasks and favourites got higher promotion, forcing specialist to look for another options outside this company. Yearly review, supposedly confidential, are backfiring on people speaking their mind as well. Vicious circle - of whoever want to make a change and company to prosper is just not listen to. Good company should praise good employees and make them as welcomed as they can, as in return employees could give extra for the company. Not for me at this stage, not here.

Explore other reviews about PayPal

5.0
7 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work life balance. Lot of opportunities to learn

Cons

Company is in transition mode

2.0
13 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

PayPal has a lot of potential. It has two very strong brands in PayPal and Venmo with significant awareness and user bases that other companies envy. There are pockets of teams that are really pushing the envelop to reimagine what PayPal and Venmo could be—especially the Venmo team—and to move with speed given the company must stay focused and not waste time with Apple Pay, Shop Pay, and so many other competitors nipping at PayPal's heels and aggressively taking market share.

Cons

While some teams are pushing to self-disrupt and are moving fast, too many teams—and I'd argue the majority of the company–are living off of PayPal's laurels from the late 2010s through the pandemic. The culture and mindset have to change for the company to remain competitive. Otherwise, they are the Titanic and they're sinking slowly. The former CEO who only last 2 years tried diversifying the company's revenue, planning for the future. But the board and its former chairman (now new CEO) felt he wasn't moving fast enough to stabilize and marketshare. Instead, the board hired the former chairman who made computers and printers at HP—another sinking ship—to lead the oldest fintech company. The loss of confidence in the leadership team and the strategy are only accelerating.

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