packer

editorial assistant

publisher

material handler

forklift operator

Penguin Random House

It's a great job in practice. Very simple and physically demanding, but fair and mostly enjoyable. Co-workers tend to be very friendly but teamwork is almost non-existent, due to a fear of communication handed down by upper management. The general consensus is that "talking is banned", so coworkers are wary of communicating their needs and experience hyper-vigilance when senior management is spotted outside of their offices. This leads to an "us versus them" mentality, as the rumor mill becomes the prominent choice of communication. 

Assignments and expectations are posted on various pieces of paper around the department, but you are told to look busy at all times so it's a poor and ineffective choice. Constructive criticism is non-existent. Destructive criticism and intimidation are what employees experience, leading to employee resentments. Only once these resentments boil over and become micro-aggressions, will leadership hold a team meeting. 

Performance is allegedly monitored, but team leaders and employees are never given access. They have online tools in place that would theoretically allow employees to view their performance and development plans, but functionality is disabled. You have no idea of knowing how many units you've handled per day unless you were to keep a physical count every day. This is a well known fact, so some employees will slack off or avoid working, leaving others stuck with the consequences.

These consequences are: 

1) Any conversing on company time is viewed as lollygagging, whether you're working while talking or not. It doesn't matter if it's work-related or personal, you will be questioned if seen.

2) There are times where employees lack the tools necessary to perform their jobs, because no one is willing to fill-in boxes or handle any responsibilities that aren't forced upon them. Being a self-starter generally raises questions at first, but team leaders work well with these employees, once identified.

3) Management tends to assume the worst in everyone, engaging in a "shoot first, ask questions later" approach. A common tactic is to threaten employees with disciplinary action, prior to engaging in any communication whatsoever.

Team leaders are decent, for the most part. Rampant cronyism amongst senior staff causes them to be reactive instead of proactive. They generally do not introduce themselves or speak to staff, unless they are approached or have a problem that was handed down. 
To be fair, there have been employees that attempted to undermine their authority by refusing to work their assignments and there are employees who willingly underperform, even while taking advantage of overtime.

Training is a mixed bag. The department seems to "hope for the worst and pray for the best" by assigning training to team leaders, who then outsource it their staff. If you happen to get trained by a good employee, it gives you the necessary tools to succeed. If you get trained by a poor employee, you're left in the dark because there is zero follow-up or discussion of performance. Cross-training in different areas of the job gives a better understanding, but the department is wary when it comes to investing in employee growth, due to high turnover.

If you have any genuine problems, whether its personal or work-related, management does not want to hear it. They will either assume you are lying or attempting to cause to trouble. I was foolish enough to complain about abusive practices at one point, but my concerns were ignored and management went above and beyond to discredit me. You are conditioned to keep your head down and mouth shut; regardless of whether or not it goes against company policy, procedures and ethics. If that doesn't bother you, you will find yourself successful. If you are sensitive to bullying or thrive by contributing positive solutions to obvious problems, this is not the position for you. 

First of all: If you are in desperate need of a job like I was, this is by all means a good place to work since you need no experience and the work is easy. 
HOWEVER:
The management is horrible and it is so hard to advance. They tell you that they have promoted you and then wait MULTIPLE (not just one or two) MONTHS to move you to your new job, usually without warning. When you needed that promotion for the raise, that extra dollar means nothing when you've been waiting for a little under half a year. 
Not to mention the management seems to be out to get people who work hard, but do nothing when passing by workers who clearly aren't working. 
As a general rule of thumb, my experience has been if you go in and work at an average level you will be left alone. You wont be able to advance, but the management will leave you alone. 
If you go to work, work hard, and care about your work and what the customer is receiving, the management will nit-pick you to the point of quitting or getting fired.
I really enjoyed my work and loved working there in the beginning, but as a worker who ACTUALLY CARED I was thrown under the bus so many times. I have watched countless times as a supervisor walked past 3 or 4 workers who weren't even trying to pretend they were working, just talking, and then seconds later, tell a good worker they did something wrong!
I know my work is good, the company knows my work is good, but the management wanted me gone for no apparent reason.

The benefits are the only thing keeping most workers there, and I know because I've asked them. Take it from me, keep your head down. Go in, keep to yourself and work, and get out of there.

The pay does not match the work load you do here by any means. Do not be fooled by them telling you they have advancement opportunities because you will never see it and if you some how get lucky enough to get one its only a dollar maybe two. They refuse to give a long over due raise to the guys that have put in there time and work and they will find any reason they can to avoid giving you one even if you take classes they tell you to or receive licenses. The goal seems to be to chase out loyal employees. They give you at most a 3% raise at the end of the year regardless if you actually work hard or do nothing. That percent is getting lowered now. The managers will constantly be watching you waiting for you to make a mistake especially if you are not a member of their shift. They will talk about other employees and shifts bashing their work or them as a person in general. The director and 3rd shift manager are VERY close so he favors them over other shifts. There is a clique i suggest you find your way in so you can have it easy or be ready for a long hard work day. Most of the time you end up missing a break or lunch which the managers do not care and blame you for not getting one while they are the reason you missed it with there you need to do this job right now attitude. First shift is the lowest paid and is always short staffed with a heavy constant work load. Employees complain all the time and none of the management or even the higher up executive management will listen or believe them they will just tell you what you want to hear and and try to push the issues aside especially when you bring up the lack of pay. If you are hired here you will quickly find out why theirs always a job opening in maintenance.

Typical day at work would be handling incoming phone calls from 8:30 to 11:00am...from 11:00 to 3:00 we would be off the phones when the part time reps came in so we could handle our multi-million dollar accounts, however any email that comes in has to be answered within 2 hours regardless if your on the phone or not so prioritizing is a skill especially when taking up to 75 calls before 11am.  

I've had the opportunity to learn customer service, be the back up to the administrative assistant, helped key orders and also helped in the communication room directing calls to the appropriate departments.

Management liked to micro manage, they told us we have the opportunity to be empowered, however if we told a customer or sales rep NO, we got rolled under the bus and were told to apologize and give them what they wanted regardless if it was against procedure.  There were certain accounts that got what ever they wanted and then there were the other accounts where management stuck to procedure, it was not across the board for everyone.  There was no change of advancement once you reached the Customer Service Coordinator position which was salary.

My coworkers were awesome, we worked so well as a team to help each other get the job done. 

The hardest part of the job was having to go to the manager and show them what type of email you were sending or if it was possible to accommodate the customer or sales rep because we were usually scrutinized and told to change our verbiage and show them before we sent it so the could approve.

The best part of my day was talking to the customers and authors

The work itself is simple and manageable, making it a good fit for someone looking for low-stress, routine tasks. Benefits are solid—ample PTO, paid holidays, and the option for voluntary overtime. However, the management culture significantly detracts from the experience.

There’s a clear preference for employees who remain quiet and compliant. Speaking up, offering suggestions, or questioning decisions is often met with hostility or retaliation. I’ve seen capable, hardworking individuals pushed out simply for having an opinion or asking questions.

Fa
Inconsistent enforcement of rules are common. Expectations shift depending on who you are, not how you perform. Good performance doesn’t always translate to recognition or fair raises. Yearly reviews seem arbitrary, with minimal raises even for those who consistently exceed expectations.

Morale is low, and little is done to improve it. Incentives like bonuses are inconsistent and often underwhelming. Leadership on 1st shift, in particular, tends to foster a cliquish, punitive environment, and feedback is rarely welcomed—let alone acted on.

If you’re just looking for a paycheck and don’t mind staying quiet and keeping your head down, this might work for you. But if you care about personal growth, fairness, or being valued for your contributions, I’d advise caution.




Typical day at work began with the buzzer signaling the start of our shift, morning meeting, safety procedures, roll call and duties for the day. From this company I learned how to work together as a team, work at steady pace to keep things on time as well as making sure product was up to standards. I learned how to work together as well as work independently, responsibility, multitude of skills and a sense of pride.Management was fair and had an open door policy for all employees.Due to the fact that I worked there for 27  years, many of the employees became friends and some as close as family. There were also a few employees that had different views and made a habit of bumping heads with management as well as employees but we always tried to meet halfway to get the job done and make for a pleasant work environment at least until the shift ended. The hardest part of the job was trying to get the employees to work together when they were just having a bad day, the team NEEDS to work together to get the job done. The most enjoyable part of the job was the satisfaction I got at the end of the day when we struggled through some rough spots but got the job done on time and still had a few laughs with a few good friends while doing it.

I still work here I've been at the company for almost 5 years. I hate to sound conceded but I'm one of the best workers I know everything warehouse functioning. I've done every position from an op1 to an 0p4 I've also worked multiple shifts. I make way over what I'm expected to but it never gets noticed yet people who like to have fun and slack off get all the incentives. Corp Managemeny is good always get bonuses at least once a year  but in house manage ment is full of favorites and they do not care about your well being they act like it yet turn and talk about you behind your back the whole place is like a high school if you work here I reccomend just not talking at all because they find any angle to belittle you. Pay is okay yet I started at 8.00 dollars and now since the minimum wage is moving up is doesn't matter what I worked 5 years for because people coming in the door are only making a dollar less than me. Warehouse life is EXTREAMILY DIRTY there is mold on ceiling tiles in. Reakrooms where you eat summer days are unbelievably  hot and all we may get if we Arent Busy  is an extra 15 mins to your break as if that's going to help once you walk back out into the heat I'm also a first responder warehouse people can get hurt well the heat causes vomiting and passing out. If that happens your expected to stay at work if you don't it  will come out of your vacation gine !

I arrive at work usually between 6:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m., though my shift begins at 7:30 a.m. If I work overtime in the mornings, I arrive at 5 a.m. If I work overtime in evenings, I leave at 6 pm. A typical work day involves sorting, processing and packaging of books being mailed nationally and internationally. I use a variety of industrial equipment and at times am asked to work in different locations in Random House. My supervisor is very helpful in assisting all employees to understand the particular job for that day, as  duties may change according to where the books are being sent, the type of book, the weight, the pricing and labeling etc. I find that the co-workers at Random House are very supportive of one another and help one another when needed. 
The most difficult part of the job was commuting during snow and icy road conditions.
The enjoyable part of the job is having a sense of self-satisfaction that I have done a good job at the end of the day; enjoying  socializing with my co-workers at lunch time; and the annual Christmas party and periodic  cook outs and BBQs management provides for staff. They are a lot of fun and the food is great! Also getting 10 free books a month is a wonderful benefit for all employees.

Working here seems to be very very routine and have got the feeling from many fellow employees that things could be done very differently to make this  place productive and little better to achieve goals. Management does favor certain employees and not to be biased but when certain persons placed in management things fell apart there.  Much better supervisors have been needed for perhaps fifteen years.

I was a remote Spring marketing intern at the Portfolio/Sentinel imprint based out of New York. I reported to three different supervisors in the marketing department. I worked on title marketing campaigns for two books, and most of my work consisted of conducting consumer and target audience research through social media outlets. Interns are on a strict schedule and are technically not allowed to work more than 21 logged hours per week, but that does not mean you are not allowed to attend meetings that interest you either inside or outside your department. In fact, my supervisors encouraged me to attend titling, editorial, and ad/promo meetings so I could learn as much as possible about all the steps that go into making a book.
The co-workers are all friendly and are always willing to set aside a few minutes with you to talk about their position and where you'd like to see yourself in your career.

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