corporate, exploitative and toxic - Social Media Producer Fast Company Employee Review

fast company touts itself as a progressive business and tech publication. the magazine's writers frequently bemoan the state of corporate media — the instability, the exploitation, the drive for revenue over everything else — and yet it's exactly those things that this stodgy, conservative publication upholds. working as a full-time staffer for fast company, I was nevertheless given the title of "freelancer" so that I wouldn't be given any benefits. I worked traditional, 9-5 hours for over a year without any paid time off, any healthcare/401k benefits or any potential for growth. the office atmosphere is exceptionally toxic, and management will do anything to save money, including lay several people off and tack on the extra work to low-paid employees (which they did in early 2018). there is no sense of camaraderie in the office — in fact, there is outright hostility and indifference coming from all corners. employees sit in the open office space, monitored at all times, and yet there's little space for any genuine discussion. this is a workplace to be avoided at all costs. don't take a job here unless you're desperate.