Daily Racing Form Reviews

Pros

High-quality people who are very sharp, good cooperation among co-workers, treated fairly, fairly laid-back work atmosphere with no one yelling or screaming when things don't go right.

Cons

No raises for five years, low pay compared to other publications in NYC, loss of employer contributions to 401K, asked to take on more and more work responsibilities for the same pay.

Pros

Decent work hours; 50 percent match on 401k

Cons

Uncommunicative, constantly shifting upper management that has failed to make good on promises of raises and technology upgrades; budget cuts precipitated by owners overpaying for company; reduced work force, which means many are forced to take on duties beyond initial job description; dying industry and reduced circulation; decade-old technology; no wall between advertising, marketing and editorial.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't promise raises for months and then inform employees they are not coming; give employees the tools needed to do job; realize that asking employees to perform duties outside of what they were hired and trained for makes for a less happy, thus less productive, employee.

Pros

Pre-eminent data brand within the racing industry, great history.

Cons

Horrible communications, dismal office space, outdated equipment, zero support from management, private equity ownership.

Advice to Senior Management

Improve communication, focus on building morale, infrastructure, giving employees tools and support to do good work.

Pros

If you love the horse racing industry, there's no reason to work anywhere else. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and pride in the work, and most everyone has a lot staked on the quality of the newspaper. For years, DRF was a very stable place to work, where you were sure to work alongside many of the same people for years on end, and that loyalty was often rewarded.

Cons

There are no longer raises; benefits have been slashed to ribbons, and there has not been any profit sharing for a good amount of years. There is a climate of executive neglect/disrespect from up on high, bordering on hostility. The Christmas bonus two years ago was a twenty-dollar bill and a five-dollar bill, folded into a card -- for a company that makes millions each year, with virtually no competition. Also, the physical plant is running down with no promise of refurbishment, and the utility bills are frequently left unpaid. The information technology is hopelessly out of date for a media company, with only faint intentions to do something about it.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't be afraid to treat employees as thinking adults, and not like spoon-fed morons.