program manager

project assistant

energy advisor

senior project manager

marketing executive

Energy-Saving-Trust

Massive disappointment working for EST. My job looked great on paper, however upon starting my role, I soon learned that the organisation was beyond shambolic and dysfunctional on multiple levels. 

Development and support were borderline non-existent. Almost no structured training was provided, and almost no documented guidance on procedures was given. EST very carelessly just threw me in the deep end with almost nothing to go on, and few to turn to. It was sink or swim, with EST demanding high performance off the bat, while providing almost nothing in return.

Compounding this were the massive workloads to complete to tight deadlines. I often found myself with so much work, I couldn't get close to keeping up, even when putting in overtime. Under-staffing and inefficient ways of working were prime reasons.

I personally communicated my concerns about the poor support and unsustainable workloads numerous times, knowing that EST would likely redirect most or all of the blame my way. Predictably, that's precisely what ended up happening anyway. Much easier for them to blame employees, while denying any mismanagement.

My situation was not unique either. Almost everyone I knew at EST felt markedly overworked and extremely stressed. It was one of the most demoralised workforces I've ever encountered. The organisation was bleeding staff like crazy due to the conditions, meaning skills and knowledge were constantly walking out the door never to return. Can't blame people for leaving when there are good employers just down the street, who actually care about staff welfare and wellbeing.

My advice? Even if you see a job at EST that looks attractive, avoid it like the plague. Trust me, it won't be worth the aggravation.

The organisation has a strong ethos and mission statement which attracted me to them. I thought these positive values would be reflected in their approach to how employees are treated. I was very wrong. The job itself was fine, it was rewarding to help people and it could have been a nice role had it not been for the way EST is run. Despite marketing themselves as a 'wellbeing' employer, in my experience employees were treated with distrust, penalised by outdated and unfair HR policies and are expected to do a lot for not much in return. A typical working day would involve giving advice to individuals over the phone. Whilst doing this managers would be sending accusatory messages asking what specificially we were doing, asking how long calls would take, and encouraging us to work faster. This has negative effects for the employee as this is incredibly stressful to deal with when you are trying to do your job. It also has negative externalities for the customers who deserve support and however much time they need to resolve their issue. Employees are not treated fairly when they are poorly. I was contacted far too often than was appropriate when I was unwell. Some people there are lovely but the work culture i experienced was toxic. I would avoid if you can. Maybe other roles in the organisation are better but this is just my experience. It is frustrating to see organisations marketing themselves as champions of wellbeing despite not affording their employees basic respect. I would say my wellbeing deteriorated during my time there if anything. Also there are very few options for training or development. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
You're working for a good reason, helping fight climate change etc etc

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It's incredibly slow and siloed, you have very little chance for interesting collaboration with people. There are legacy processes everywhere that make no sense and utter nonsense from senior management about org-wide better ways of working "coming soon" and how many opportunities there will be to develop and grow etc etc. Nothing comes of any of it, it's all false hope and empty promises. The work is incredibly boring and draining and it's very exhausting to try and stay positive and engaged. It's quite corporate at times, very shambolic and uninspiring, lots of absence and sick leave due to stress and fatigue. All of this is stressful. Not having a clear purpose and measurable outcomes, just drudgery, is stressful.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Stunted, not inclusive, siloed, slow, it feels like no one is being straightforward.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Awful, basically. An absolute mission to get through.

Home Energy Scotland is a government funded organisation and provides free, impartial advice on making your home warmer, more affordable and greener. Whatever a customer’s circumstances and wherever they live in Scotland. My main tasks are within the centre itself providing support in whatever format required. Also within my role as an Energy Advisor I gained two City and Guilds training course’s one for my main duties on energy advice and the other in the renewable sector both off which helped me provide the best service I could offer. 
Other duties I was very strongly involved in where event planning and fundraising for our chosen charity, this included meeting with people to arrange events and also managing the overall cash flow that we had raised.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Flexible schedule and communicative with the staff, so  always we were updated with any changes, news or information. 
I loved been part of a company that promotes climate change and awareness 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Didn’t had any problems at all 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The staff ( included leaders) are very approachable, knowledgeable and communicative. Always willing to share their experiences and ideas

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I was helping either admin tasks, checks and calls

Loved the job helping people to be more energy efficient and helping them to gain free energy saving  products like a new energy efficient boiler loft/well insulation if there property qualifies also sign posting callers to other organizations who could provide assistance. Only left due to needing a more secure job and the NEST program is dependant on Welsh government funding. 

While WFH the incompetence of managers is restricted to a single statement "it's because we work remotely". No proper training is provided, loads of mistakes are taking place due to this, which are frustrating the team members who want to do a proper job and no one makes a serious effort in planning of a way to avoid them. They selectively train people to complete tasks and you really need to make the delegation yourself as micromanagers are too busy having meetings 
rather than leading the team. 

At first you think you have found your unicorn job. This is quick to change. Managers that have no management of people experience others who micro manage ever part of your life. Underpaid , understaffed and sucks the life out of you. Your day is constantly inturuped with meeting with no outcome.  Do not care about there staff and believe me nothing is confidential even with HR. Oh and to fit in you must be vegan must buy your clothes in charity shops and cook all your food from scratch and be at one with natural can't wait to get out.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great working conditions
Great welfare package
Flexible arrangements
Approachable leadership
Friendly environment
Nice people to work with 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Limited human resources 
Limited digital tools 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Friendly
Respect
Supportive
Collaborative

Worked with the company for a year now, feel valued and supported by my managers everyday. Higher management team listen to their staff and make changes to improve work environment.
Offer remote working, support work life balance, look after staff’s mental health and have been a huge support to me getting back into work as a working mum. Great company to work for

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Program manager 2 salaries reported	£42,298 per year
Project assistant 7 salaries reported	£21,551 per year
Energy advisor 7 salaries reported	£21,587 per year
Senior project manager 7 salaries reported	£44,000 per year
Marketing executive 4 salaries reported	£28,500 per year

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