In my experience in Recycling/Metallics at Gerdau, workplace culture within my department lacked professionalism and consistency. Leadership appeared resistant to feedback and change, and accountability was unclear. Office dynamics were often influenced by long-standing relationships, which made collaboration and transparency challenging.
I experienced and observed situations where professional boundaries were not always respected, including managers discussing employees’ personal matters. During a career development discussion, I was asked about future pregnancy plans, which made me uncomfortable and did not feel appropriate for the workplace.
Attempts to raise concerns did not lead to meaningful resolution. In one instance, my concern was not accurately represented during escalation, which made the process feel discouraging. Following this, communication with my manager was significantly reduced for an extended period.
Advancement opportunities appeared limited and not always clearly tied to performance or defined criteria. Despite actively seeking mentorship and guidance, I did not experience leadership that consistently modeled professionalism or ethical conduct.
Overall, I would encourage prospective employees to carefully consider whether the culture aligns with their expectations around professionalism, career development, and mental health.
