One of the WORST Companies - YIKES Stay Away! - Marketing Director Harvard Media Employee Review

1.0
Aug 30, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Casual dress, free lunches on Fridays, adequate pay, and there's a lot of good people working here so you won't have to suffer alone.

Cons

A company with a superiority complex that gaslights its workers. The EVP is either inexperienced, delusional, or both, and this results in abrupt, useless changes throughout the company. Feedback from the people that have to implement and deal with these changes on a daily basis is not only ignored, but discouraged. If you disagree with management, you will inevitably get fired as you don't "fit the values and beliefs" of the company - very "it's not us, it's you" mentality. The majority of staff is overworked and are on the verge of burnout, or ARE burnt out and just struggling along so they can pay their bills. Many departments were suddenly given new titles and the company hierarchy was adjusted without warning which caused confusion and increased the workload on the affected divisions. For example, Promotions and Marketing was switched to Experiences and Marketing, and an incompetent employee was moved up to head the division simply because she will follow orders blindly without question. Suddenly there are MORE useless meetings with increased frequency that only serve to stroke the ego of management. The addition of staff on the EVP's precious "S-Team" just encourages the staff to resent management even more. There's so many departments that need more staff at the working level to help manage the increased workload, but instead, the EVP would rather hire his friends into upper management and let everyone underneath continue to suffer. Unless you've made it into his inner circle, you have no job security and no opportunity for career advancement. Working from home was frowned upon unless, again, you're part of the inner circle. Resentment is also fostered between markets by Upper Management, making it very clear that if you're not in Saskatchewan, specifically Regina or Saskatoon, you're not important. The Friday (mandatory) meetings were implemented under the guise of "getting everyone together, company culture, blah blah blah", but really they're just a way to force everyone to watch Upper Management pat themselves on the back and continue to foster resentment within the company. The "meetings" began with everyone's cameras on in each market boardroom so we could all see each other, then evolved into forced cameras off, we are only to sit and quietly watch the presenter. We were also told that we could ask questions or raise concerns anonymously beforehand and they would be addressed during these meetings; they were addressed... but not anonymously. Your name and photo is included on the slide with your question/feedback for the whole company to see. That immediately dissuaded the majority of employees from using this "feature". When questioned, the EVP brushed it off and did not understand why anyone would want anonymity; everyone should be confident enough in their statement or question to have it broadcast across the company. The free lunches are the only perk to these meetings, and even then, it puts a huge amount of stress on the sales team to try and find a restaurant every week to give free food for the office. Overall, the worst place I've ever worked! If you're considering employment here, run the other way, otherwise, just get some experience and bail the first chance you get.

Harvard Media Response
2y
I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns about your experience at our company. Feedback, whether positive or critical, is invaluable in helping us evaluate our practices and make improvements where necessary. It's disheartening to hear that you feel our company has a superiority complex and that you believe we gaslight our workers. I want to assure you that this is not our intention, and we value open and honest communication with our team members. Anonymous feedback can always be brought to HR if you don't feel comfortable bringing it up with a manager or at a meeting. I genuinely regret that you had such a negative experience with us - if you would like to discuss further please reach out to me directly. - George Leith EVP 306-715 -4664

Explore other reviews about Harvard Media

5.0
May 7, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good Benefits with long term disability, RRSP Matching, Vacation. Upper management is not afraid to pivot which is needed in the space. Brand recognition of Harvard Media and being part of the Hill Companies is a huge plus on the sales side. If you work hard, this is a place you can work for a long time and be happy.

Cons

Media/Advertising is an ever changing landscape, it can go up and down with the economy but leadership is typically ahead of it.

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