Progressive Platitudes with Little Follow-Through - Graphic Designer idfive Employee Review

- Creative turnover is very high with an almost annual rotation of the team. As a new employee, this was excused to me as "the wave of past employees who left couldn't adjust to the new company structure." As I listened to those around me express their frustration, stress, and desire to also leave as soon as possible, I learned that the company structure is top-heavy and doesn't give enough time, support, or credit to those actually doing the work. - CEO will very often complain about how much the benefits (decent, but nothing to gloat about) cost the company and how grateful employees should be towards him and the rest of the leadership. - Employees are *strongly* encouraged to vote for the company as a "Best Place to Work." - Holiday vacation and bonuses are not a guarantee and are held ransom to encourage a certain kind of productivity. - Despite being an advertising agency, idfive is by no means a "creative" place to work. The creative team is set up to fail with tight timelines. Creatives should be prepared to be blamed for any problems that should have been caught during the early strategic phases of a project. - "Culture" at idfive is initially introduced as progressive and one that encourages a healthy work/life balance. That culture does not exist. As you start at idfive you'll be told people stay for the culture, but you'll quickly learn the "culture" is a guilt tactic and is, at its core, leadership patting each other on the back when they work late. - Chit chat is frowned upon and you'll be reminded how it costs the company money. - Leadership can be petty and do not give or receive feedback well. This produces a stressful environment where employees are always ready to be blamed or scolded. - HR does not exist and is in fact the head of finance? When diversity and equity issues are brought up, they're quickly swept under the rug.