Unless you're a Developer - run. Fast. - Anonymous employee Station Four Employee Review

2.0
Nov 2, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Cool trendy office space, perks (gym, parking, parties), the relaxed environment and dress code as per typical for a digital agency, some of the leadership (not ownership)

Cons

The two owners run everything - and agree on nothing. Some of the most predominant cons: they lead by fear, there's no structure to almost anything, 'Boy's Club' mentality, unpredictable/irrational decisions made by ownership at every turn, clear favoritism toward developers, clear favoritism toward certain employees, ownership being extremely moody and generally unpredictable the majority of the time, 0 room for advancement, the two owners getting into fights in front of the staff and feeling like you're the kid in the bad divorce that has to choose a side, being held to expectations that were never defined, being expected to perform duties you were not aware of when hired (with no training), a general daily culture of gossip, secrecy, fear of being fired - and having to watch good people get fired with no warning or cause.

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Station Four Response
6y
Wow. I do see that this was three years ago but I am surprised. We did grow from four to twenty-four people in a year and a half and made a ton of mistakes, as you do. I'm sorry that your experience at the company wasn't positive and do hope that your time at S4 has helped you to get where you are today. There are a few things in your review about 'axing' and replacing with owner friends that doesn't seem right, but I'll take you at your word and apologize that your time at the company was one that was poor.

Explore other reviews about Station Four

5.0
Feb 9, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Station Four is a great company with an energetic and talented team. If you're looking for a fast-paced agency culture, this is definitely the place for you. I never felt micro-managed and was trusted to do my job. If I ever needed help or had questions, the entire team was willing to answer and guide me. Professional development is encouraged and for a small company the benefits are great: medical, dental, vision, 401K, unlimited vacation and sick days.

Cons

Not too many cons. The biggest thing is the company is currently working on improving their internal processes so sometimes things can seem a bit hectic, but it's issue the company is aware of and is working through.

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Station Four Response
2y
Dear Anonymous Person Who I Know Exactly Who You Are, Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You were a bright spot on S4's past and working with you was an absolute pleasure. Your design talent and personality are sure to take you far. Never fly too far from the nest tho! :)
3.0
Dec 30, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Work with a wide variety of clients Since it's a small company, you get to work on a lot of different types of projects that you wouldn't otherwise touch at a larger agency Free parking downtown Team is generally very talented Generous 401(k) plan Potential to learn many new skills and gain valuable experience Decent PCs with dual monitors

Cons

Heavy micromanagement throughout nearly every aspect of the job Founders are self-absorbed and won't let the people they hire run the company Lack of professionalism from the top down Not much growth potential within the company Downtown location can mean dealing with a lot of traffic Lack of communication and set processes Time tracking is required for every moment of the day and is used as a micromanagement tool Too much negativity in the office High turnover rate Poor work/life balance Long hours for pay that isn't competitive Founders always think they are the smartest in the room and belittle employees Management style is very passive-aggressive No account managers, so all positions are client-facing Working from home is frowned upon Raises are few and far between Tries to treat the business as a large corporation, but is really still a start-up

5
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Station Four Response
9y
I appreciate this insight. Certainly growing a company from 5 to 20 people in a year has had it challenges - trying to build a management team, shifting from daily management, and locking down processes. We wish you the best in your new city and will take your feedback to heart.
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