Layoffs coming - Anonymous employee Refinery29 Employee Review

1.0
May 3, 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Not applicable. Nothing is good here.

Cons

They will work you to your bone with no compensation. Unlimited paid time off was introduced but the company can't afford employees being out for more than a few days at a time. The entire design, marketing solutions and fashion team left and everyone is swiping that under a rug. No one cares to address it. Launched a diversity and inclusion initiative that is led by a white woman and a white man. Fail! This company is surrounded by white people. Research the executive team so you know what I'm referring to. Cherry on top is that the company is now being ran by three white rich men that know zero about women. The women that are supposed to be leading teams are just puppets. They should also consider leaving, it's not like they are making change happen. Overall, everyone knows that executives are here to get rich and grow their own image...aka be famous. They will make you think they care at fake company meetings (filled with unicorns, rainbows, flowers, glitter), when they really do not. Pretty sure the board of directors is fake, if they were real we would not be in this situation. There is no money for anything. We all live in a constant fear of losing our jobs. We have not hit our revenue goal since forever. They think that free stuff will make us forget how miserable it is to work here. There are a lot of awful people working here and it does not matter how much you complain or what they do, these people will remain here. Actually if you are mean, you will succeed here. Scream the loudest, be rude, unkind, and you will raise through the ranks in a minute. Saying employees need to live through our values is all fake news. Do not come work here. Save yourself!

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5.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
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Pros

Great culture, extremely nice employees, diverse workplace

Cons

Not very cutting edge with their approach to tech

4.0
Mar 23, 2026
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Refinery29 was training day, every day. The pace and creative expectations forced you to sharpen fast. I cut my teeth here over four years and came out a fundamentally better strategist. The work was culturally plugged in, the people were sharp, and you were trusted with real responsibility early. If you wanted to learn how brand, content, and audience intersect at speed, there was no better place.

Cons

The intensity that makes it a great training ground also means the environment runs hot. Not everyone thrives in that — and depending on your team, support structures varied. The company went through a lot of change during my time, which created some instability.

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