Pros
Management avoided layoffs during 2008 depression. Management is addressing new-media challenges, and being smart about it. Opportunity to work on fine books with first-rate authors and editors. Highly intelligent, experienced, and talented, and friendly colleagues. Civilized and respectful environment with very little backbiting or sniping. Good health benefits, generous personal and sick-day allowance for salaried employees, a lot of employee discount/membership perks. Able to purchase company stock at 15% discount. New employees are automatically enrolled in 401k; company matches 4.5% of contributions. Free books everywhere!!
Cons
Industry salaries are uniformly low, but entry-level salaries are SO low that we lose talent. Raises generally do not match the cost of living. No bonuses that I know of, except for upper management, and occasional discretionary corporate-wide bonuses ($500-600). Young staff hasn't a clue about how to manage their 401k investments. Management frequently rolls out new software and workflow procedures that can make working more, not less, difficult. At the same time, important, industry-wide software is often outdated. When software is finally updated, staff is expected to train themselves online while still maintaining workloads and deadlines. In editorial/production, unrelenting increases in workloads, with higher percentages of books on brutally tight deadlines. New imprints, but no new staff hires in years. Not too fond of the open-floor cubicle-pens and bright overhead lighting: no privacy at all, voices carry. No place to take a private phone call, such as a callback from a physician.