As a whole, Cengage has been plagued with layoffs and rampant outsourcing every quarter for the past 2 years. Both the HR and IT departments have been outsourced recently. There has been a major drive to cut budgets and spending, leading to low morale and overwork. Salaries are low compared to similar roles and companies, and I've seen great people leave for a 20k bump elsewhere. Many employees and leaders who were integral to building up Cengage's past success and infrastructure have been leaving in droves.
Infosec specifically has been Cengage's pariah ever since it was bought. In the 3 years after the buyout, I've seen 10 different Marketing leaders (Director level and above) cycle out of the Marketing department, both voluntarily and through layoffs. Infosec's growth numbers are aggressive and unattainable. The blame often falls to Marketing meaning the team is asked to work harder with less resources only to be punished when those unrealistic goals are missed. Current Marketing leadership is brand new and self-serving: More interested in sucking up to Sales and upper management rather than learning about the business and its products, coming up with cohesive strategy, and addressing the underlying issues with the team. Proper leadership, mentorship and direction are sorely lacking. There is blatant nepotism and favoritism, and leaders are often busy covering for their mistakes and pointing fingers rather than taking accountability. If you aren't a "yes man," you won't survive the next layoff. Even if you are, you might still be thrown under the bus for your boss's failures. I've seen bullying and retaliation towards those who ask questions and who don't blindly follow upper management orders. I would tell you to avoid working for Cengage overall, but doubly so for Infosec since it is a sinking ship.
