After a decade of nonstop layoffs, Viacom is reaping what it sowed at CMT. Almost all that’s left are people who thrive in a toxic workplace. While the network becomes more and more irrelevant, the leaders who can do anything about it are turned inward and only focused on playing politics and backstabbing any and everyone to hang on to what they have.
The manager of my department was so extremely aggressive and angry it was surreal at times. Simple questions or comments were seen as opportunities to belittle and degrade. I witnessed colleagues crying at their desks and know of others who are in therapy because of this manager. Almost every single direct report felt as though they were constantly in crisis mode. Our primary focus as creatives became less about doing good work and more about “optics” and trying not to be thrown under the bus by those looking out for only themselves.
If you are looking for production work like this, don’t work here. It’s not worth it. There are other companies with larger followings that seem to be run by good, smart people. Go there instead. The non-stop high school games and disrespect and overall lack of common human decency is just exhausting. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.