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Prince Harry’s £1 Million Role at BetterUp: A Royal Dilemma Amidst Workplace Chaos
Prince Harry has found a new calling as the Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp, a role that sounds a bit like a glorified intern position.
His mission?
To champion mental fitness and steer the company's social agenda.
But if you think that's straightforward, think again—it's murkier than it appears.
The royal reportedly rakes in over £1 million annually for promoting an app that many liken to a millennial version of Life Coach Tinder.
Harry joined BetterUp in 2021, shortly after his much-publicized departure from royal duties.
He claims that the app played a pivotal role in connecting him with an exceptional mental health coach.
Yet, while he's busy applauding the platform and mingling with former NBA stars to talk about “finding your flow,” the reality within BetterUp is anything but serene.
Current and former employees have taken to Glassdoor to share their experiences, painting a picture that resembles more of a corporate catastrophe than a zen startup.
The reviews are nothing short of alarming.
Descriptors such as “toxic train wreck” and “psychologically unsafe” have emerged from those who have worked there.
One employee even likened the environment to a circus, claiming that discomfort and fear are rampant throughout the organization.
As for the leadership team?
They've been labeled an elitist clique devoid of moral direction and self-awareness.
Reports suggest they engage in a bizarre game of executive musical chairs, dishing out vice president titles like candy, while haphazardly derailing company initiatives at whim.
Even the intended audience for BetterUp's services seems unimpressed.
A company executive expressed serious reservations about the app after experiencing issues related to confidentiality during coaching sessions.
Another employee described the sales team as predatory.
It's a scenario that feels like a Netflix drama, only it's playing out in real life—and it's worse than fiction.
The reviews get even juicier.
One employee cautioned others to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble, warning that Human Resources operates merely as a puppet for the leadership.
Another described the workplace culture as cult-like, rife with toxicity and high levels of burnout.
It appears the only kind of “flow” happening here is the kind that flushes careers down the drain.
Amidst all this turmoil, Prince Harry seems to be flourishing—or so we're led to believe.
He's been jet-setting around, making various appearances to represent BetterUp.
From discussing mental fitness to promoting the concept of “flow,” he has even visited the company's lavish offices in California and Texas.
These spaces boast amenities like yoga studios, office dogs, and cozy armchairs for relaxation.
But really, how much unwinding can one do when earning a cool £1 million to… well, what exactly?
Harry's role primarily involves advocating for mental fitness and lending his royal endorsement to the app.
Meanwhile, the employees who keep the operation running—if you can call it that—might have a different perspective on the situation.
BetterUp's co-founder and CEO, Alexei Robichaux, has stated that the company's mission is to enhance human existence.
While that sounds commendable, employee feedback suggests the focus is more on inflating executive salaries and pushing overpriced coaching memberships.
To put things into perspective, corporate access to the BetterUp app costs a staggering £2,600 per person each year.
That's quite a price tag for what some employees describe as inadequate compensation, relentless pressure to sell, and frequent layoffs.
Despite these concerns, Harry remains the golden boy in the eyes of BetterUp's leadership.
Robichaux has lauded Harry's admirable attitude and inspirational presence—though one could question what kind of inspiration it really is when the rest of the company appears to be floundering.
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