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Penguin Random House

Is this your company?

Good job if you're independently wealthy and happy to be a doormat - Assistant Art Director Penguin Random House Employee Review

3.0
13 Jan 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Many lovely colleagues. Flexible about working remotely. Good paid time off.

Cons

Don't let friendly office culture fool you- you're never going to be paid fairly, no matter how long you stick it out. The raises from promotions are miniscule. The whole company structure relies on making everyone feel that their work is "so special and important" enough that you will endure being underpaid and undervalued your whole career. But if you can stomach being underpaid and rarely having your ideas prioritized (unless you're at the top), then it's a perfectly enjoyable job.

Explore other reviews about Penguin Random House

5.0
20 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

• Caring people. Psychological safety is emphasized by people at every level. I feel like leadership at each step of the reporting chain is very approachable and transparent. • Great work/life balance. • There is a lot of openness to trying new technologies or doing different things for such a large and established organization. There is very little "trend chasing," it's more like you're listened to. As the CEO started out as a technologist, he has a realistic view of what new tools (including, but not just, AI) can do for us. • Informal, especially for a company created by the merger of two nearly-100 year old publishing firms and was recently acquired by a nearly-200 year old company. • Company supports learning and development. • Free books! • I care greatly about the company's mission and it's clear how my work impacts the company's ability to execute on it. • Things often move slowly, which is both a pro and a con.

Cons

• Pay and insurance are very average, but I can live with that. This is a much bigger con for employees whose jobs require them to be on-site, especially in e.g. London and New York. • Said learning and development seem to have a ...deliberate pace. While this is fine and what I wanted, other tech people coming in from more "tech-y" organizations mightn't gel with it. • Things often move slowly, which is both a pro and a con.

5.0
20 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great writing, Top tier production

Cons

The male director never asked me once how I was doing or offer any advice to calm my nerves (on my first production ever with them) which lead to a burdensome recording process.

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