Unethical, toxic, panic attacks, gaslighting. Run. - Operations Manager Smithbucklin Employee Review

1.0
6 Oct 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Was able to keep my job through the pandemic

Cons

Everything is needlessly urgent. Nobody is patient. Nobody is respectful. Everything is political. Everything happens behind closed doors. You will be ambushed with hostile meetings questioning your work. They claim to be flexible and progressive but will discard you as soon as it’s convenient. The work is self important and your bosses will look for ANY opportunity to give you a negative review / keep you where you are. They have no desire whatsoever to develop talent and promote people. Their primary goal is getting as much work out of desperate or ignorant employees as possible. I know several colleagues who would throw up or cry in the mornings from anxiety. I wish I could go back and never work here. I was quite literally used and abused. Just run. There is absolutely 0 work life balance. It is unmitigated harassment.

Explore other reviews about Smithbucklin

5.0
16 Nov 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Diverse employee base with interesting backgrounds, work/life balance, newly renovated office, wellness week

Cons

Pay could be more generous

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Smithbucklin Response
5mo
We appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. It’s great to hear our team diversity, work/life balance and wellness efforts stand out. We appreciate your honest feedback regarding compensation.
3.0
14 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

1. Gaining experience in marketing, communications, editorial operations, project management, time management, organizational skills, and interpersonal communication, which can help you become more competent in those areas, learn what you're good at, like and dislike, progress your career with the company, or use the experience to pursue another role that fits your goals. 2. Working a hybrid schedule with the ability to handle your work on a computer is a great lifestyle and flexibility advantage. Working adjacent to Downtown Chicago is an incredible experience that can bring even more lifestyle, professional, and personal opportunities. 3. Networking and getting to know a diverse group of people in the company and your department is great for relationship building, both professionally and socially. 4. Smithbucklin provides a robust onboarding and professional development program, providing support for advancing your career, feeling more comfortable at the company, and pushing you to grow.

Cons

1. Workloads can be overwhelming if not properly managed. Managing tasks for several clients at once demands a higher level of time management, organization, consistency, and interpersonal communication tolerance (for a great number of meetings, emails, and messages) that seem to be quite challenging for many associates. But if you ground yourself and continue to become efficient at your workflows, you can handle it. 2. Performing work across different clients makes it hard to focus and specialize. You may be more of a generalist starting, but by discovering the industries, clients, and type of work you like, you may be able to carve out a path you want. 3. The work itself, which can consist of executing digital marketing, comms, or editorial operations tasks, can seem underwhelming, and the learning curve may take time, but the tasks themselves are not necessarily difficult.

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Smithbucklin Response
2w
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you valued the professional development opportunities, hybrid work environment and collaborative culture. We appreciate your time with us and wish you success in your future endeavors.
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