Refinery29 reviews

Refinery29 had ambitious and praiseworthy missions, but its leadership has no idea how to execute them properly. Over two years, I saw positions and departments eliminated, only to be re-instituted a year later. Executives at higher levels appear to come and go at alarming rates. I was laid off in the massive cuts last December, and at that point, morale was abysmal. It’s hard to be positive when there are constant layoffs — the December round was preceded by smaller rounds of layoffs — and no one’s job is secure, at least not at the lower levels. There is no reward for company loyalty, and those who have been at the company for years are just as likely to be laid off without warning, at any given time. And despite earning plenty of funding and hosting elaborate sponsored events like 29 Rooms, Refinery29 was penny-pinching in every way, shape, and form. They tout having free bagels on Fridays, but good luck actually nabbing one. Same with things like free pizza -- there are company-wide emails about things like this as a reward for hard work, but there is never enough food ordered, and actually getting some is like winning the Hunger Games. Even basic things like coffee were steadily reduced, with executives saying that cold brew was costing as much as a lower-level employee’s salary. OK -- but then why are so many low-level employees getting laid off? The most depressing part of Refinery29, though, is that it does not practice what it preaches. Refinery29 has an empowering message of inclusion and equality, but that doesn’t seem to trickle down to employees. There are helpful articles about asking for raises and knowing your worth on the site, but employees were advised repeatedly not to ask for raises. In terms of editorial coverage, they tiptoe around writing anything even remotely critical of many brands. What topics are covered and not covered appear to be strategic decisions driven by money. Working here is not worth the long hours, stress, and constant fear of layoffs. Don’t be fooled by things like 29 Rooms!

Limited opportunities for growth, moves quickly so hard to get a grasp on anything, job security can feel impossible when layoffs are constantly happening. Clearly little to no vision for a sustainable future so that filters down to confusion at the lowest ranks. Raises are like getting blood from a stone, so make sure you negotiate yourself a good starting salary. I would tell people not to work there, but honestly, you're going to if you get a job offer because its a JOB in digital media, and at a brand with a lot of cache. So I get it. I'd probably still go work there again if I had to do it over again, even if future-me were able to pay a "Christmas Carole"-type visit to my bedside to walk me through the years of chaos and low salary I had to deal with. So if you must go work there, go in with your eyes open and think strategically about what is best for you, and don't get lulled into a sense of loyalty to the supposed mission of "helping all women everywhere." Its a business, not a non-profit. The real mission is money, and if Refinery29 were a person, he/she'd step over his/her own bleeding grandmother to get it. Build your brand and voice, get experience, and get out.