Refinery29 reviews

3.1

40% would recommend to a friend

(191 total reviews)

Philippe von Borries

35% approve of CEO

18% positive business outlook

Refinery29 has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 191 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Refinery29 employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Mídia e comunicação industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

191 reviews
4.0
Jul 19, 2019

Good environment

Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Everyone is very friendly and positive.

Cons

The all hands meetings sometimes made it seem like it was a higher calling than it was, we were making the editorial space better, but we still answered to advertisers, we weren’t running a nonprofit.

1.0
Jun 18, 2019

A Hypocritical House Of Cards

Anonymous employee
Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

Creative environment, can meet/work with interesting people.

Cons

If I can give you any advice, it's to read the reviews and listen to them. I didn't believe them and I regret it everyday I come to work here. The entire company is in chaos. The execs who are allegedly in charge of content direction do not have a single clue. Underpaid and overworked writers are forced to write reductive SEO stories; the founders of the company regularly direct the verticals to write stories for their friends; there is no real editorial "strategy" besides aggregating content. Sales has not hit their targets in months, no matter what kind of jargon they try to spin at company meetings. I've worked in media my entire career and I've NEVER seen turnover like this — at least 10 people have quit within the last 5 months, many of which had no job lined up. That should tell you something. The company on its face "champions" women of color and women from marginalized communities but routinely disrespects them internally. Bullying subordinates, unrealistic goals, and constantly shifting and unclear directives are routine. You will not get a meaningful raise or promotion. I'm not sure why there are jobs posted when it's obvious layoffs or at very least a hiring freeze is on the horizon. The women at the top of the company are clearly in it not to create something meaningful and sustainable, but to enrich themselves and become D list socialites. It's very obvious execs are angling to sell the company off as quick as possible before the money runs out. Media overall right now is a mess — but this may be one of the worst. Avoid if you can!

4.0
Jun 13, 2019

Great Mission

Recommend
Business Outlook

Pros

The mission of this company is one that runs so deep and I have never experienced before. I feel like I have a true ability to influence the lives of young women everywhere through a message of empowerment. Not many other companies can say the same.

Cons

Management needs to be work on their leadership skills and spend time truly understanding what it takes to lead a ship during choppy times.

Viewing 58 - 60 of 191 Reviews

Glassdoor has 283 Refinery29 reviews submitted anonymously by Refinery29 employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Refinery29 is right for you.