McGraw-Hill – “Any job is better than none.”

Pros

Industry-leading products and opportunities to develop unique, valued skill sets. Also, the only large employer of BAs in a 50-mile+ radius. The best that can be said is that it's better to have any job than no job.

Cons

At-will work status for everyone, on one noteworthy occasion resulted in 1-hour notices to about 1/3 the work force to leave and never return. Some of these were long-term--10-year--employees. About half the staff are hired through an agency and work long-term--5 years and more--as "temporary" employees, with no real benefits, 2/3 pay of regular staff for the same work, fewer paid holidays than regular staff, a token 1-week vacation (!), and a palpably degrading daily experience of snubs and disrepute. The regular staff is required to put in large amounts of overtime without extra pay--bottom-line priorities of upper management have resulted in "downsizing" that redistributed the work load to the already overburdened remaining staff. Employees are forbidden to write references for anyone who quits or is fired, on pain of dismissal. Disgruntled employees--"temporary" and regular--keep things to themselves, complaints are not welcome. Rule by fear--never complain without carefully weighing possible consequences; if the raise that's been promised and never given for 2 years is an issue, go through a supervisor to mention it anonymously; keep your resume current.

Advice to Senior Management

Make an effort to keep your word--especially concerning promised raises and elevation of contract workforce to regular-staff status. Make the most of staff enthusiasm by extending some real sign of gratitude.