LittleThings Reviews

I fear I'm merely repeating what so many have already said, but I suppose this will still help a prospective candidate in evaluating an offer from the company. Regardless, let's be clear: This is not a fake review. Generally speaking, you can expect to observe: - Lack of direction/conflicting messages: Most of the writers barely get a chance to apply new directions and changes in focus to their writing before being derided and criticized at the next team meeting about what they're doing wrong now. It's not uncommon for one direction to be given on Monday, but another contradicting it will be given the next. - Immaturity: The editorial management team does not instill a sense of confidence in their decisions and often react with the behavior I would expect to see on a high school yearbook committee than a professional digital newsroom working in corporate America. Pettiness, favoritism and gossip reveal a clear lack of emotional maturity on the editorial management team and send the message that they are unsure of themselves and of what they're doing. - Low morale: Employees participate in field trips, game nights, spirit weeks, etc. simply because it's free and they fear retaliation. No amount of field trips or free alcohol in the office will raise team morale if the employees feel as if their complaints about serious issues regarding management, salaries, nepotism, etc. aren't addressed. Companies who try to manufacture as sense of camaraderie while ignoring serious flaws within just make the employees feel even more dejected and unheard. - Insincerity: Although a common problem in corporate environments, don't be misled in thinking an innovative start-up will be devoid of this trait. At least not at LittleThings. Employees do not feel safe to share genuine feedback out of fear of retaliation or dismissal. There are team members who have some really great ideas on how to improve a lot of the processes throughout the company, but are afraid to mention them to their supervisors because they know anything they say could be used against them at a future date. - Inexperience: I agree with another reviewer. The creative team, in general, and the editorial team, specifically, are lacking in professional experience in the environment the company requires. If you have experience in a digital or print newsroom or you're a journalist/illustrator/videographer with more than 4-5 years of experience, you will be seen as threat and told that you behave as if you're superior to everyone else. Don't worry. You're not. You just know how to be effective and talented at a job you've chosen as a career. - Racism: Yes, that dirty word is no stranger to this company. You may not see it in the other reviews, but it is discussed in private and off-hours. I was on the receiving end of it when the management team used racially charged language during a meeting. I also observed first-hand racial bias among the editorial management team toward others who weren't present. You expect more from a company that's led by a younger generation, but on multiple occasions, they show themselves to be just as prejudiced as their older counterparts.

It is suspect that so many positive reviews popped up just days after a handful of one-star reviews were published. I am going to try and keep this as neutral and honest as possible. The management is all over the place. There is one woman higher-up in particular who seems friendly and awesome when you meet her, but quickly turns mean, snide, and patronizing if she doesn't like you, your writing, or anything about you for whatever reason. I have seen her make people cry. I have seen her make people doubt themselves as writers. In short, she is talented at her job itself, but poor at managing and leading people. This will probably never be fixed or addressed, because the CEO likes her a lot, and she helps bring the hits/money to the site. It's a shame. A handful of talented, dedicated employees got fired several months ago. Your job is not as secure as you think it is. These were good, hard-working employees too who were loyal to the company, and they were dropped like hot potatoes. All in all, the company works hard pushing this positive image of itself while life inside all is not as happy as it seems. The CEO doesn't really get to see more of the negative aspects of being one of the lower salaried people since he mainly hears from the higher-ups and takes their side. I think he is a good guy who means well, but there have been several incidents that were swept under the rug this past year. I have to also agree that the two floors don't interact much, and there should be a better system in place to remedy that. As for the salary for a writer. Eh. Some people on here are lamenting it for being grossly underpaid, others are shocked and appalled at that and calling it "industry standard." Honestly, writers are underpaid in general, so technically it is "industry standard" for a start-up/entry-level position, but it could be a lot better, especially considering just how much profit this company rakes in. And trying to live comfortably in NYC on a writer's salary? Good luck. All in all, great concept, wonderful office space and perks, but management is messy and things change quickly and frequently, not always for the better. Newer employees are probably still in their honeymoon period or don't see how things used to be, so I can understand why they'd write glowing reviews after less than a year of working here. All in all, I enjoyed aspects of Little Things, but if I had the choice to work there again, I would decline.