Penguin Random House reviews

Toxic culture. In my one department, 3 harassment cases, of which we were told to consider "both sides." Perpetrators protected based on friendships with key decision makers. HR was notified, and did everything they could to protect to company against victims. Was personally sexually harassed, as were many colleagues, who no longer work in publishing, or live in NYC - basically they fled. "Low pay" because we "love what we do" is code for continuing to hire the same type of rich white employee who can afford NYC on a tiny salary. If you're going to prioritize white books and white buyers, just be transparent about it. Stop putting the onus on employees to undergo "diversity trainings." Pay more. Hire diverse employees. Listen to victims.

The UK CEO talks the talk but does NOT walk the walk. He has an oft-repeated shtick about PRH being the home of diversity, but it continues to be a middle class, white ivory tower. The recent gender pay gap figures were manipulated to disguise the fact that the senior men earn more than the senior women (including the publishing MDs) and their recent diversity questionnaire had to be delayed to ensure that the facilities team were included as they are the only team that is primarily non-white. Tom Weldon says he is 'sick' that there are more working class authors, and yet he has allowed a putsch against anyone senior that does not fall into his mould of privileged, privately educated and skinny. There is so much promise in the organisation and yet it remains a bullying, status-driven, ego-led place. There are pockets of nice teams but there is little genuine warmth. Until the leadership team changes, this will continue to be a place which is less than the sum of its parts.