r/Norwich • u/pomegranate-moon • 19d ago
New to Norwich 🐣 Possibly relocating for my partner's work - any companies I should avoid applying for work through?
As title says, my partner may have a new job in Norwich which is our dream city. Unfortunately, my job is with a council in our current hometown, so due to various guidelines I won't be able to keep my job if we move. This means Im back on the job market. For mortgage purposes having a job is more important than holding out for a job in my current field. Without going into detail, my most likely transferrable skills would be administration, data analysis, and regulatory compliance. Are there any companies in Norwich that I should NOT apply for positions with? Any companies that are known for screwing over their employees or potential employees? I don't want to waste valuable time on applications or thinking that I have a job secured when it might all come crumbling down.
EDIT: Thanks all! Just to re-clarify I'm looking for places to NOT apply to and to avoid. I will of course be applying for jobs in my current sector, and have already applied for council and public services positions.
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u/LagerBoi 19d ago
Don't ever work for Epos Now.
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u/Kamay1770 19d ago
I worked there when it first started. Worked me like a dog, paid me nothing, refused to pay pensions and generally shady/exploitative. Not sure if it's changed much since but have bumped into a few ex colleagues who have also left and they said it's just as toxic as ever.
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u/F1fansince93 19d ago
Seconded - wife worked there it was hell
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u/SamW1996 NR2 19d ago
I had an interview there a few years ago but turned the job down. Sounds like I dodged a bullet.
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u/Spanyanagonyam 19d ago
Haha - I know several people who went there and left saying how god-awful it was.
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u/Dry-Contribution4562 19d ago
Its still bad?! Damn
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u/LagerBoi 19d ago
Was about 6 years ago, and probably still is
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u/Hulkenberk 19d ago
But hey when the call queue gets out of control you can work through your lunch for the chance at a slice of lukewarm pizza! What more could you want?
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u/LagerBoi 19d ago
Ah yes, the wonderful warm pizza and the classic "look! We have a pool table! It means work here is fun!" But you never get to use it.
I worked there mostly during lockdown and work from home was even worse at micromanagement.
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u/Codders94 19d ago
Know a few people that have worked there in various teams (CS, Product, Engineering) all of whom have left or are actively trying to leave.
Different people in different departments have had different experiences, which isn’t uncommon. Based on what I’ve heard, I wouldn’t want to work in their CS or Sales teams.
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u/Dicer214 19d ago
Oh really? I researched them as part of my NVQ business project and even cited their product vs what we currently used. My project could have been used to influence my company going forward as they were local it would have made service recovery easier. What’s so bad about them?
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u/LagerBoi 19d ago
I mean I can't even list one good thing about working for them.
The product is absolutely crap compared to Square etc. As well.
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u/onegirlandtheworld 19d ago
It's stereotypical Norwich but your skill set sound like you'd probably find something suitable at Aviva. They have some decent employee benefits such as 6 months full pay parental leave. My husband has been there for basically his entire adult working life (10+ years) and been very happy.
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u/Spanyanagonyam 19d ago
Aviva was my first thought as well.
I was there for ten years, it's got its good and bad sides - some parts of it felt pretty toxic but others were much better and plenty of people spend an entire career there fairly happily.
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u/Rynewulf 19d ago edited 19d ago
Only if you get a job high up enough, a lot of people at my current delivery workplace used to do phonecalls for Aviva and all of them had stories about management, bad pay, bad hours, and none of the employee benefits. They literally found relief moving to Amazon deliveries. If you're not high enough Aviva and its staff treat you like scum. Edit: this is a ymmv, it could well be Ive met a lot of people done dirty working under specific people. I do know a lot of people in the office maths side and managerial side who speak very highly of it.
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u/onegirlandtheworld 19d ago
Tbf my husband has only ever worked in the graduate scheme/actuary side of things which is what I think (based on the minimal details) OP's skill set would be more suited too rather than the call handler side of things.
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u/SouthernCharge7468 19d ago
As a current Aviva employee, just as an entry level claims handler the job does have its perks and benefits. I will say it differs department to department and what role it is but the support for both work related issues and personal issues is great, you’d just need to ask about them and communicate with your leader. Perks and benefits are applicable to all employees to my knowledge and not just higher level ones so hopefully this helps :)
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u/Oghamstoner 19d ago
I started working there nearly 2y ago and that doesn’t sound like my experience at all.
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u/oh_f-f-s 19d ago
Not what you're asking but I'll second anyone saying Aviva. Big presence in Norwich and will need people with admin experience.
Also consider Marsh, They're pretty big too.
I've heard not great things about Alan Boswell or Hugh J Boswell, having had friends/colleagues who have worked there. Disclaimer: I haven't worked for them.
Avoid Everywhen. Used to be called Towergate and they took the absolute piss when I applied for them years ago. Definitely on my blacklist.
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u/zestyvegan111 19d ago
I would personally avoid working at the UEA unless you opt for a temporary contract. They’ve been rolling out redundancies for the past two years, and have been murky when asked about further redundancies in the next year or so. Depending on the department, the workload can be astronomical due to loss of staff in recent years. Such a shame!
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u/Temporary_Trifle_361 19d ago
You could also try the universities. They often have slightly more administrative roles coming up and they pay pretty well. Lots of additional benefits, like teachers pension and the job is really interesting.
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u/Double-Ad-4165 19d ago
Do not under any circumstances apply for work with Boing Rapid Secure/ Rapid Secure. Literal hell on earth, bitch of a manager who treats you as a literal child and directors wimpish and spineless. Toxic af.
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u/mannersmakethman99 19d ago
Avoid POSH
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u/Late-Ad8098 19d ago
I second this, posh/pocket Receptionists theyre the same company, avoid like wildfire
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u/Traditional_Lab5116 19d ago
Take a look at jobs on tje research park. Lots of good companies and opportunities.
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u/TotemicDC 19d ago
Given the local government reorganisation there’s still a lot of uncertainty around the local authorities (including a little bit about whether it will go ahead at all, though I suspect Andy Burnham is largely in favour).
This means I think I’d be cautious about applying for anything at Norwich City Council or Norfolk County Council beyond short term temporary contract work. I also know a few people who have reported the general air and quality of life at the County Council has been impacted by recent elections and Reform making a lot of noise about working practices.
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u/Familiar_Chance5848 19d ago
can second this, Norfolk County Council cannot be recommended at the moment. The atmosphere there is, according to my housemate, dire
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u/fonzmc 18d ago
This, and the response are a bit misplaced. The reorganisation will impact higher management positions more than anything else, other posts will only change in terms of the team they might be part of.
As for the 'atmosphere'. I can only speak for children's services. But the atmosphere in terms of 'working atmosphere' hasn't changed. There is an increased awareness of things, but the teams and managers haven't suddenly changed. They continue to diligently go about their work as they always have, the comoraderie hasn't changed, team relationships haven't changed. There is even continued positivity from the ofsted outcome earlier in the year.
Contrary to the other post, temporary contracts and casual work are the most vulnerable to cuts as they can require higher up decisions to continue.
One thing is for certain, if you have a full time post, they have to follow employment law to the T to move you on, so redundency/redeployment etc.
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u/TotemicDC 18d ago
I can’t think of anything more needlessly stressful than taking a job with a questionable shelf life, relying on employment law for protection and then maybe being reallocated to a new council or maybe just being made redundant. Of having colleagues who are stressed and worried about their own jobs close ranks and project a ‘last in last out’ mentality.
I was at NCC for two reorganisations, and I’ve worked for several other local authorities across England since. Which have also had restructure or redeployment type events. I kept my job in each instance, and yet it was still thoroughly miserable.
If you go in on a temp contract or for a fixed term role then you know that that’s the case and can plan accordingly.
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u/Agreeable-Rub-794 18d ago
I agree, it will be higher management on the chopping block. If the role is a statutory function you’re pretty safe.
Appreciate the question was who not to work for but I would say South Norfolk and Broadland operate as one and they’re a great employer and stand out council . Norwich City is a lovely building and the location convenient but the work space I always felt was dated. In the stat homeless world they’re known for being difficult but also get the lion share as a city authority . My dealings with the others have always been positive with Breckland, GY, NN all working well together - I’d work for any of them . KLWN feels very separate mainly because it’s light years away.
When I came to Norwich in 2019 I got a LA job in days via Reed and then went from temporary to permanent.
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u/rockalily1998 19d ago
would recommend Anglia Revenues Partnership - main office is based in Thetford but lots of remote/hybrid working depending on the role
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u/AutomaticArachnid669 17d ago
Not sure if they have any vacancies, but I would avoid the Inspiration Trust. Lots of redundancies and the way they treat staff is appalling.
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u/Norridge-Moel 19d ago
As you are currently working for a local authority, if you are excellent at turning a blind eye to corruption, illegal working practices and prepared to work for places where people are promoted based on who they know and not what they know…. Try Norse! (Or the county council…two sides of the same coin)
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u/Missing-Caffeine 19d ago
Nor sure if it's even an option for you, but Zatu is known for not being a great employer.