Harry N. Abrams Reviews

- My biggest issue was with the HR department. Having worked at a larger publisher previously, I was used to an HR team that was committed to supporting us, providing resources and assistance. At Abrams, HR does the bare minimum. On a weekly basis, the only communication we would receive from HR was regarding the arrival of a small box of snacks they provided for us....this seemed to be their main function. When I was preparing to leave, I tried for weeks to set up an exit interview and get important information about when my benefits would expire and what I needed to do to wrap up. My constant follow-up was ignored until my last day, and as such I lost out on using up remaining FSA funds, among other things. When it's already hard to compete with larger publishers for talent, you would think this would be one area they would want to invest and provide better support. Additionally, in my last year there, there were many departures in my department to the point that we were extremely short-staffed. Those who remained were picking up tons of extra work, and again there was very little support or transparency from the executive team, let alone raises despite all of the unfilled positions... I also saw amazing colleagues who were extremely good at their jobs, loyal to the company, and provided mentorship to myself and others get passed over for leadership opportunities. Really disheartening. Lastly, there was an very political culture at Abrams that trickled down from the CEO, including protection for employees who were bad actors and making it a difficult work environment for everyone. There was a lot of talk about improving things but not a lot of follow-through.

Sadly, there are a lot more cons for me. Think very hard if you get an offer here. In bullet points, this is what is wrong with Abrams: 1. Literally no training. In my position, I was hired and expected to just know how to do the job. I literally didn't receive any formal training at all. Then, my boss would get upset when I didn't know how to do things. 2. Upper management is mean and gets away with whatever they want. After going to a lot of meetings, I saw how upper management treated people. And they get away with it. No one fires them, talks to them, etc. It's literally just how it is. 3. The company culture, at least for my department and a few others, is horrible. People are reserved and not friendly. I totally get that a lot of people in publishing are introverts, and that's not the problem. It's that there's just no team building, no sense of camaraderie, etc. People just put their heads down and do their jobs. If you walk up to a coworker and ask how they are, people will look at you weird. 4. There's a lot of tension between departments. 5. People talk about each other openly and freely about other people. Like, go ahead and vent about your fellow coworkers.... but could you do it at drinks away from the office? It makes for an EXTREMELY toxic environment since it's an open floor plan. 6. Their health insurance just went up a ton. 7. Abrams is not innovative. At all. In fact, I would call them a conservative publisher. They don't listen to people's fresh ideas, and it's kicking them in the foot. 8. Because there is no training but the bosses are demanding, there is an insane amount of turnover. It's very common for people to come in and within 2-6 months realize how messed up the company is. Literally all of my closest friends (I had about 4) want to leave Abrams as soon as they get another job. They are all actively applying and want out. 9. No work life balance. People come in at 8-8:30 and don't leave at 5. They'll just stay and work. And keep working. And that's ENCOURAGED. Managers and employees will brag about coming in at 8 and leaving at 6-7. 10. The hierarchy is REAL. Assistants are treated poorly. 85% of their jobs end up being administrative. Unlike other companies that try to keep things equal, Abrams does not. 11. Abrams has a reputation for having difficult management. This is because people who are generally hard to work with end up here and flourish because no one cracks down on their behavior. It's just how it is. Just avoid this company. Try to get a job at the other publishers. If Abrams offers, email current LinkedIn employees and get the scoop first for your department. The sales department, for example, has a great rep!