STOP in the name of loveee before you break my heart. THINK IT OVER!!!! - Anonymous employee Russell Tobin Employee Review

1.0
26 Jun 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Your team will be your lifeline and most of the people that work there are really cool.

Cons

I'm honestly not sure where to begin when discussing the cons of working in this place. I’ll start at the top.. and by the top I mean the CEO (Leo Russell, not Tim Tobin). Besides the fact that he's a generally terrible human being, he is also a horrible leader. He does not give his employees the tools they need to do their jobs or any type of autonomy to make business decisions. He believes that offering free snacks and Friday happy hours are the way to build a company culture and does not realize that culture is actually based on how people are treated and valued in the work place. He uses bonuses as a threat to scare his employees and quite honestly does not compensate people properly (which is ironic because it’s staffing firm and he knows what the market rates are because he relies on them to make money). On the other hand he over compensates people that do not deserve it.. such as family friends, family, close connections, etc. He will literally tell people to “sit down and shuttup,” only because they are new. And to get into the crazy comments he makes about gender, sex, weight, etc would take too long to properly outline here, but you can imagine. On top of all of this he creates a disruptive work environment by constantly moving where people are sitting. Which is made ever more difficult considering there is no network or server so one is unable to simply move to a new computer and work, rather they need their entire desktop computer physically relocated in order to make such a move. In addition, he changes peoples positions at a whim. One day you are head of events and the next you are head of talent engagement. No warning. No discussion. No compensation changes (unless you’re a buddy of his). He treats people as if they are incompetent and know nothing. He creates a culture of fear. The computers are old and insubstantial, however there are countless works of art and uncomfortable furniture that costs A LOT of money all over the office. In order to get even so much as a pen purchased for you, he needs to sign a PO for it to get done. So you can understand where priorities lie in terms of where money is being spent. There is no board of directors, no Human Resources, NO LEGAL TEAM, NO IT TEAM. There is NO ONE who can advocate for the employees there. This is a place where there is new drama every day, people crying every day, people quitting every day, and people getting fired every day. It is an anxiety inducing environment that I highly recommend you do not join. These comments are not exclusive to Russell Tobin.. but the ENTIRE Pride family of companies, Pride Global, Pride Technologies/Pride One, Pride Healthcare, etc. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE SHINY PAINTINGS AND THE BEAUTIFUL DECOR. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE CEO’s CHARMING SPEECHES. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE HAPPY HOURS AND THE SNACKS AND THE NESPRESSO MACHINE. This place will eat you alive and swallow you whole if you let it.

Explore other reviews about Russell Tobin

5.0
24 Nov 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I have worked at other agencies and Russell Tobin outweighs all of them positively. I feel supported, and like my contribution matters. Management is approachable and wants to see you succeed. Hybrid flexibility is a plus and the office is in a great location with free parking!

Cons

None that I can think of at the moment.

1.0
18 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

On the surface, this company employs many genuinely decent human beings, especially on the recruiter level. Unfortunately, the culture and leadership structure ensure that those people struggle to succeed.

Cons

The environment is steeped in toxic masculinity, where aggression, dominance, and performative confidence (especially from those who don't understand the industry or have never recruited) are rewarded over collaboration, empathy, or competence. Bullying behavior is normalized, often disguised as “directness” or “high standards,” and there is little accountability when it comes from the right people. Management regularly pits employees against one another, sometimes through surprise or random video calls designed to catch people off guard. These interactions feel less about problem-solving and more about “gotcha” moments—intending to embarrass and expose, while creating tension within the organization. This fosters fear, not excellence, and actively discourages trust or teamwork. Employees are not treated as people—they are treated as salaries and line items. Burnout is common, yet dismissed. Human concerns are framed as weaknesses. In meetings, it is not uncommon for a senior leader to tell women to “smile more,” reinforcing a culture that is out of step with even basic professional norms. At the top, the prevailing goal among senior leaders appears to be self-preservation, as they are promoted beyond their capabilities. Many seem focused on collecting paychecks and avoiding disruption, fully aware that their compensation far exceeds what they could command elsewhere. As a result, meaningful change is avoided, difficult conversations are postponed indefinitely, and dysfunction persists.

6
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