Toxic workplace culture - Editor Chicago Agent Employee Review

1.0
28 Dec 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The only pros are the great colleagues you get to work with. You become close to them in the way you would if you were serving time together or fighting in a war. And like either of those scenarios, you try to help each get out in one piece.

Cons

This place is insanely understaffed. Editors manage two websites each and are expected to post three stories a day on each site, post each story on three social media channels, and manage huge projects for each site. That would be bad enough but you’re also grossly underpaid with no benefits (unless you count $100/month towards your high health insurance premium) and treated with total disrespect by the two owners who call, slack, text and email you early in the morning, late at night, on weekends and even holidays. There is no vacation benefit to speak of, because you have to do all your work in advance before you leave since there’s no one to do it for you. You might develop physical and/or mental health problems as a result, until you come to the same conclusion as everyone before you: the only sane solution is to leave.

Explore other reviews about Chicago Agent

5.0
21 Mar 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Talented editorial team. Nice people.

Cons

There are no cons to doing contractor work for this company.

4.0
29 Jan 2016
Anonymous intern
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I worked at Chicago Agent Magazine as an Editorial Intern from late August to December 2015. It was an amazing experience. I really learned a lot and gained valuable skills from my time there. Environment is extremely casual, which was a huge bonus because I got to do what I love (writing and editing) wearing jeans and t-shirts. The staff is small, but incredibly hard working, creative and efficient. They also treated interns like actual employees, and gave us a lot of responsibility. Like someone else previously mentioned, the internship is very intensive and hands on. Tasks included: writing stories for the website and print magazine, copy editing for the print magazine, posting on social media, creating photo galleries and other miscellaneous assignments. Overall, the internship is a great launching pad for a career in publishing and you'll have many opportunities to grow as a writer.

Cons

I kind of wish that they had more room for advancement. As of now, they only offer freelance opportunities but I guess it's better than nothing.

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