Airy Labs Reviews
Updated Apr 10, 2012
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Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
- "Parents involvement in management and organizational structure inhibited any work from getting done." (in 2 reviews)
- Current Employee★★★★★
Pros
Early stage startup, tons of stuff to do Team is really smart and I think we're doing something very worthwhile What we're working on is very exciting and there's tons of potential for changing how kids learn, plus an enormous market for it.
Cons
It's hard work and a lot is expected out of you - you're expected to produce every day and there's pressure from the management to deliver; it's being run like a classic startup, and we're in the office for a long time every day - not much work life balance at this stage.
Continue reading - Former Employee★★★★★
Great Potential Not Being Managed Properly
Jan 14, 2012 - in Palo Alto, CARecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
The original company goals are admirable The employees are smart and fun, extremely talented Great location Great ideas and creativity amongst employees, but need to be better cultivated Individual tasks relevant to job description are fun and challenging.
Cons
No PTO whatsoever--> quick burnout Management treatment and administration policies vary widely from employee to employee Lack of communication and clear vision on part of CEO/management No sense of balance between work and personal life, extremely intrusive. Needs more focused art/design direction. Tasks are heavily micro managed CEO's roles are spread way too thin; seems to be from lack of trust in senior staff
Continue reading - Former Employee★★★★★
Very different than how it looks from the outside
Dec 17, 2011 - in Palo Alto, CARecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
Chance to take on different roles Get to see company being built from the bottom Challenging tasks Get to work with smart idaelistic coworkers
Cons
No PTO and forever on "crunch time" (12+hrs everyday) No work life balance or respect for employees personal lives The founder's parents watch everyone like hawks to make sure everyone is working all the time Very sad to see smart coworkers get burnt out and disillusioned
Continue reading - Current Employee★★★★★
Pros
smart and driven teammates who cared about each other free food for the first few months
Cons
It's a sweatshop run by a family who believed in slave driving employees. The company is dying - yet the family blamed all the employees "hired the wrong people". Employees should have spoken up much earlier instead of enduring all the hardship and abuse for so long.
Continue reading - Former Employee★★★★★
Pros
Work with talented team with plenty of experience under their belt. You believe in the goals of Airy Labs in the beginning. Management tries to provide basic accommodations but that does not make up for poor management. Good office location. Personal chef (you pay a % of the meals) and yoga instructor.
Cons
Management is split between the CEO and his father. That is not necessarily a con however it makes communication difficult if both needs to be present. Logically speaking it is better to deal with one competent leader. No light at the end of the tunnel. When can schedules be scaled back to just 10 hours? Personal and team meetings held after normal working hours regularly. You feel as though you are constantly "on call". No work and personal life separation. You can easily become unhealthy due to lack of sleep and exercise and therefore lose motivation to continue. Burn out. System of nearly nightly evaluations.
Continue reading - Former Employee★★★★★
Poor management and expectations
Mar 18, 2012 - in Palo Alto, CARecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
The idea is amazing and hearthwarming. The execution - poor.. Not surprised the company is going south~ I wish they (the management) were more open to suggestions and didn't run the company like a sweatshop - its proven it doesn't work. They might get funds to keep going, but their best fund is the talant that believes in the idea and works hard... Treat your workers with respect and make them happy - things will go much better!
Cons
The execution - poor - Can't expect people to renounce their life and familly...
- Former Employee★★★★★
Pros
-The team. I am honored to call my former team members my friends. Talented, witty, humble, and genuinely passionate people. -I learned a lot during my time there. There was always a new challenge to tackle. -The purported mission. -I think that all of the departed employees will land on their feet, and that their Airy Labs experience will have helped them get there and appreciate all of their future successes even more.
Cons
There aren't a lot more examples to give that haven't already been said. This company and its downfall represents some of the biggest problems in the tech industry today. There is too much of a focus on buzzworthy topics (e.g., "games," "education," "neuroscience") and young founders without any proof of concept or ability to lead. It's unfortunate that this drama has dragged out so long. If any investors are reading this, please listen to what we have told you.
Continue reading - Former Employee★★★★★
Pros
The magement team reminded me of my parents. They were tough, but they cared about my health and showed random bouts of affection (buying snacks, ice cream). They asked for a lot, so I was constantly focused and I think I became more diligent as a person while I was there. I definitely noticed a change in my habits - I did things as soon as I thought to do them, rather than putting them off until later. I loved my coworkers. They're great, funny people, and are fun to hang out with.
Cons
That being said, the management were unlike parents in that they definitely didn't love us. They asked for work hours that are probably normal in the country they're from, but are not okay here. I don't think they adjusted for culture difference. That's how I'm choosing to look at it, anyway. The time and efforts they asked their employers to put in did not align with the pay they handed out (somewhat understandable as they are a young start-up) or with the appreciation they showed. I wish they would understand that everyone who joined did so because Airy Labs holds a wonderful vision. We employees were/are there to help them work toward this vision because we believe in it too. The employees are definitely not in it for the money. Many of us sacrificed family time we can never get back to build their vision, which we made our own. The ones who couldn't take the work load left right away. It'd be nice if the ones who stayed were shown more appreciation and human kindness.
Continue reading - Current Employee★★★★★
Pros
Very helpful, cheerful and awesome coworkers Educational games, way better than random mafia games Good location Good office space and resources free bagels and coffee High standards of design
Cons
low pay poor management art is approved by people with no/minimal background in art 90% Asians? new hires interviewed by fresh graduates/inexperienced employees
Continue reading - Former Employee★★★★★
Pros
Was able to work with an extremely talented team who were all from the top of their fields. Was able to gain exposure to the industry and learn more about the start up world.
Cons
Management was very inexperienced and did not articulate the goals and vision of the company very well to the employees. Extreme micromanagement and discouraged communication between teams was a detriment to productivity. Parents involvement in management and organizational structure inhibited any work from getting done.
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