first direct Reviews

3.9

78% would recommend to a friend

(377 total reviews)

Chris Pitt

84% approve of CEO

73% positive business outlook

first direct has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 377 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The first direct employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Finance industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

377 reviews
3.0
1 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I had really great managers throughout my time here and a lot of the long standing staff will go so over and beyond to help you. Good training for the most part and I’ve gained a lot from my time here.

Cons

However, for the long term it is not looking good as a lot of the benefits I joined with have been taken away. Looking to remove work from home which was a massive benefit of the job, adds hours to your working week commuting especially when you then need at least half an hour to set up before your shift time which you aren’t paid for and you can get stuck for any amount of time after the shift on a call. Will change hours you need to work at the drop of a hat to very unsociable hours so using public transport is now really difficult. The role itself causes a lot of anxiety as is very customer focused so even if you are really good at the role you can end up feeling quite anxious about calls you encounter and although team mates really care the higher ups in the business do not feel like they care at all about the employees anymore. A lot of people go for development opportunities but it takes them years to get anywhere.

2.0
27 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Had a good manager but also had terrible ones who are out to fire you.

Cons

Basic wfh which they are likely to remove completely even though there’s barely enough seats for everyone in the office Don’t help make reasonable adjustments for staff members with any illness. Business does not care if you have mental health, or just anything wrong with you. Not allowed time off if someone in Your family dies unless you take sick leave which they throw back in your face at end of year assessment so you don’t get a bonus.

2.0
21 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The training period of 6 weeks in academy was excellent and thoroughly prepares you for taking core calls. Benefits like Bupa and pension contributions are a plus. The job itself can be repetitive but resolving customer issues is very rewarding.

Cons

Can get some really nasty customers and expected to just take it on the chin - not enough protection for frontline staff in this respect. Constantly micromanaged to the point it is detrimental to job performance and your mental health. Extremely unsociable shift patterns. Only 20 minutes break on a 9 hour shift, which you have to use any time you go to the toilet. If you go over break by a matter of seconds you are pulled up on it but can work over 15 minutes after the end of your shift and receive no overtime pay.

Viewing 1 - 3 of 377 Reviews

Glassdoor has 390 first direct reviews submitted anonymously by first direct employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if first direct is right for you.