My observations have gone from having hope that C-Level will finally see the light to a loss of confidence. Over the last few months, the frustration with our leaders has started to outweigh all the positives Vector has to offer. A constant red flag at Vector has always been our Human Resources teams having to answer to sales instead of the other way around. Past HR teams have left because HR is not at the top of the food chain – Sales is and that is putting a wall between any innovation that could be taking place. That being said, our new HR team is trying their hardest but key players who approve unethical practices and perpetuate old school, Boys Club attitudes and ideas are allowed to stay and pollute the culture.
C-Level management is constantly brought in to “change things up” but their lack of willingness to understand the full scope of business and day to day operations has caused leaders and their teams to rethink their future with Vector. There have been unethical decisions that have come from C-Level or management teams (Initially, if could have been by accident as many decisions were made on the fly and not communicated between departments or above) but when it is brought to their attention, they accuse the reporters of being pessimistic or not seeing the bigger picture.
Unfortunately, things have taken a turn for the worst over the past year and it’s hard to say if one should keep riding it out, like in the past, or cut ones loses. Any environment where the upper levels are built on hearing what they want instead of what they need will not lead our company to success. If one kisses up to the Boys Club, your opportunities and pay magically open up whereas if you have standards and favor professionalism of “bending the knee” you are gas-lighted and lose your seat at the table.
I’m still here and hopeful for change, but the Boys Club attitude, favoritism, no active change, lack of C-Level accountable, and not paying employees their worth is changing my mind. We are not volunteers, we are employees, and as the company has grown, so should have the employees in their opportunities and pay. While remaining loyalty to a company is admirable, Vector is proving that loyalty equals being paid thousands of dollars less than market standard and expected to work in an environment that is growing increasingly toxic and hostile.