Was once great, now only great if you're part of the "in-crowd" - Employee The Motley Fool Employee Review

1.0
Oct 21, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

+ Flexible work schedule/unlimited vacation policy* (*If you have a manager that understands the Fool's own core values and the reasons people choose to work at the Fool, otherwise your flexible work schedule winds up being not so flexible.) + Employer matching 401k, good health benefits + Nice people + TMF's game room used to be utilized by it's employees rather than just a nostalgic relic from a time that has long past. The game room now mainly serves as a go-to spot for PR photos that are to be included in newspapers or really any trendy DC magazine that outlines "Great Company Benefits/Perks" + The walls are colourful (Whoa, just like Google!), and everyone has $650 Herman Miller chairs, ironically though they aren't much more comfortable than a traditional $50 chair. After all, you know what they say "A Fool™ and their money soon part" + We have an entire unused 2nd floor (another boondoggle) that can be used for drinking parties or tag

Cons

Those who can "see" what has happened at The Motley Fool over the past couple years are NOT pleased, but we are not alone and we are also not a small minority. Employees are generally good at putting on their "Happy Face" though. As previous reviews have stated, if you don't assimilate than you will have someone (typically a manager, or their manager) talking to you about your behaviour and lack of perceived "Foolishness" (cult-speak for fitting in and not "rocking the boat") Many veteran ex-Fools painfully saw the rapid decline from the fun, collaborative, organic and free-flowing workplace, where it was understood that as long as you got your work done - you were free to be, now transformed into a place where only the chosen ones participate in that experience. Those days of equality are gone except for Chosen Ones: the Yes-Men, the Fantasy/Sports Enthusiasts and the in-crowd PartyCrew® all seem to have free rein to do whatever they please while others are held to an unclear litany of constantly morphing standards. Not to be misunderstood, EVERYONE is meticulously graded on multiple levels, scoring rubrics, metrics and tests. You will be analyzed and charted by a group of (?) not really sure...peers, superiors, managers? However, in the end it is all fairly irrelevant considering like other reviews on here have explicitly stated, it seems to be a select few people gathered in a room agreeing on who they like or dislike. Walking into the Fool anymore feels like one signed up for a clinical trial where they'll be monitored and charted, rather than the highly touted transparent workplace that TMF was once known for. The only thing missing is wires and monitors hooked up to employees reading their heart rates, blood pressure and stress levels. The Motley Fool is using an overreaching system in order to place it's employees into groups. Every metric seems to have been taken care of and is scored in a rigid, cold and non-transparent system that attempts to place employees into categories instead of looking at their actual work output, and to be honest, it feels more like segregation. Enough of this, let us work - judge us on our work and not our networking/beer-drinking abilities. It is tiring and demotivating. Many long-time and valuable veteran Fools have already left the company recently, and now we can all see why. I guess they too saw the writing on the wall. At The Motley Fool, it is perceived that there is a select group in the company that can do no wrong: take 2 hour alcohol lunches, watch sports, Netflix and play video games with no supervision, all while others are working around-the-clock worried about losing their jobs without even participating in any of these activities. It is a vast understatement to say that this has created a resentment from many employees toward the "untouchables" who seem to do as they please. How are some people failing to meet goals by astoundingly embarrassing percentage points (Think: actual final numbers = less than 1/3 of projected numbers) and being rewarded, while others who do not participate in the "bread and circus" activities are constantly having the bar raised for them causing burnout? Either make it fair for all or get rid of the "perks" and increase the pay, half of us don't even get to use the perks.

Explore other reviews about The Motley Fool

5.0
Aug 22, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Generous benefits,Great benefits and the company really leans into being AI-first, which makes the work feel exciting and future focused. The mission of helping the world invest smarter is meaningful, and the people here are awesome, smart, kind, and fun to work with.

Cons

Priorities shift a lot, which can be frustrating at times, but it’s part of the startup style approach to keep moving forward. You often have to push to get decisions made, so persistence definitely helps.

3.0
Jul 10, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Remote work and work-life balance are excellent. The people are genuinely kind and approachable, and the Operations team provides one of the best onboarding experiences I’ve had. Company events and on-sites happen often enough to build meaningful relationships with coworkers without feeling excessive. The benefits package is one of the strongest perks, including an excellent 401(k) match. A special shoutout to Spring Health—it’s an outstanding benefit that many employees will appreciate. The company also offers nice surprises throughout the year, such as occasional bonuses or RSU grants around the holidays. Compensation is fair, though it varies by role and largely depends on what you negotiate when you’re hired. Overall, the culture is laid-back, supportive, and filled with people who are easy to work with, making it an enjoyable place to be.

Cons

Processes and internal structure can feel overly corporate at times, making even simple operational tasks take longer than they should. There are often multiple layers of approvals, which can slow decision-making. The promotion and compensation process lacks transparency, making career progression and raises feel somewhat unclear. Salary increases tend to be modest, and most employees do not receive a formal annual bonus tied to their compensation. While RSUs are offered, their perceived value can vary and may not feel as meaningful as traditional cash incentives. Strategic decision-making can sometimes be slow, with leadership and management appearing hesitant to make timely decisions. Compared to many modern tech companies, the culture feels more established than startup-like, with less emphasis on speed, innovation, and rapid execution. As AI continues to reshape the industry, it will be important for the company to adapt quickly. It remains to be seen whether it can evolve at the pace required to stay competitive.

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