Fun place to work, not a long term option for most. - Anonymous employee High Five Media Employee Review

I am composing this review in response to the feedback posted on December 14th, 2023, which itself was a reaction to a review on December 11th. I believe that the review from December 11th more accurately reflects the prevailing experiences of the majority of individuals within the company. A discernible disparity exists between the perspectives of the upper management and the “lower-tier” employees. Managers and partners express great enthusiasm for the "Christmas parties with extravagant gifts, the monthly office gatherings, and complimentary Monday morning breakfasts," considering them highly commendable. While these events are indeed pleasant and, if presented as evidence of the company's lack of frugality, are valid, they do not address the primary concern voiced by employees—namely, salary issues. The compensation for most roles at High Five falls significantly below market rates (bearing in mind that Glassdoor salary data is notably inaccurate). Despite possessing top-tier talent, the company remunerates its employees inadequately. Requests for salary increases are met with reluctance, and on multiple different occasions requesting a detailed breakdown of monthly expenses, a practice I deem extremely inappropriate and not to mention disrespectful since in practice it has proven to result in the bare minimum needed to survive awarded to employees who have gone through this process. Substantial salary increases are primarily reserved for those transitioning into management roles, with no provisions for loyalty or performance-based raises. With absolutely no guidelines for performance based raises there is no accountability for management to actually give them out, and they won't. When employees resign, their workload is redistributed without a corresponding increase in compensation, resulting in significant job creep within all avenues of the company. The matter of remote work has been somewhat sensationalized. Employees are not advocating for full-time remote work but rather seeking a policy for inclement weather. There is currently no policy for inclimate weather. In turn this forces the employee to decide between going out into unsafe conditions or dip into their personal PTO days. Additionally, paid time off is exhausted for sick days, leaving minimal allowance for personal time. The leadership is so stingy with letting employees work from home that employees have been asked to stay at work with no working bathrooms, and furthermore asked to clock out while they drive to a nearby business to relieve themselves in order to ensure that work from home is never allowed under any circumstances. While the company-sponsored events and additional amenities are appreciated, employees are ultimately seeking fundamental consideration. Designating hourly rates ranging from $12 to $20 as constituting a "career job with unlimited growth" is not only uninformed but also disrespectful to those endeavoring to make a sustainable livelihood. I recommend reviewing the sentiments expressed in the December 11th review, and as someone who has worked within the organization for a considerable period, I find myself in concurrence with its perspectives.