Getty images used to be a pretty decent place to work, but over the recent year they’ve gone downhill. This company has no idea how to strategize and properly inform their employees of any sort of change or restructure, which happens every year btw. Bad decisions are made arbitrarily without any regards towards the impact it may have on the clients and staff. This company acts without thinking. Unless it makes money, the company does not care.
What’s unfortunate is how Getty treats their photographers and contributors. They refuse to invest in technology that will improve service, as the Contributors can’t even reach someone phone to quickly resolve any issues they may have. Its 2020. People want real interaction, not an email system that throws back canned responses. Not only does Getty undervalue their most important asset, they aggressively discount any sort of image just to get a sale, which will severely affect a photographer’s commission. They’ve recently decided to eliminate an entire license model just because “it wasn’t selling”, which was not true. With every Creative image now being Royalty Free, photographers will make about 50% less than what they were already making and how to rely on working with other stock agencies.
Also, managers play favorites to those who are willing to brown nose, ego stroke, and to put it simply, play the corporate game. If that sounds like you, then you may thrive here. With 95% of the management team consisting of average white males from out of state with a strange sense of entitlement, I’m not surprised they lack an understanding of diversity and inclusion, along with basic human decency. When I would attempt to discuss the importance of having a diverse team, I was met with a ‘I think our team is diverse ‘line. I also got the classic ‘its tough to find ‘diverse’ candidates. Ok
And my favorite, when I attempted to discuss the importance of working from home and the potential benefits, I got a speech about how working from home was a ‘privilege’ and one that needed to be earned. Keep in mind that this was AFTER the company decided to get everyone laptops, seemingly to promote a flexible workspace. Considering this was months ago, I’m sure they had no idea we would now be dealing with the current covid-19 pandemic, however this is why its important to have a company culture that allows people freedom and space to do their job comfortably and efficiently. It’s a shame it takes a situation like a pandemic for the company to offer something so basic.
The management team cares little about cultivating a positive working environment and I seriously recommend they all receive new training on conflict resolution, unconscious bias and how to talk to people. I feel like egos run very high, especially in the Chicago office. I have been disrespected verbally in front of team members about my productivity by Senior Managers, was berated by my own manager which prompted me to file a report with HR (which was never followed up on btw by anyone) and they refuse to take any action. There is a team member that constantly make racially incentive statements, inappropriate sexual comments, and generally makes those around him uncomfortable. Management is very aware of this behavior but refuses to step in. If you work in the Chicago office, have fun avoiding this person.
And that’s just that. Do not be fooled by their cliché outdated company commandments or promises of anything. There is nothing special about this company.
