DBPC Reviews

I can’t stress this enough: DO NOT WORK FOR THIS COMPANY. I wrote for the World Index Magazine and I can tell you from first-hand experience this place is a complete disaster. I have no idea how they have lasted so long.   “Interview/hiring process” I felt like I was on American Idol! They have such a long treacherous process of hiring, you’d think you were being hired by the FBI. First the computer test, then a phone interview, then a three day writing trial, only for yet another in-person interview. Not once did the editor grace me with her presence.   “Probation” The probation period at DBPC consists of making minimum wage, and them giving you the title of “intern” even though you haven’t been in school for almost a decade. They promised me I’d get a raise after three months of working there. After four months and countless requests to speak to HR I finally got my measly $2 raise. I requested back pay, since I was assured that I’d be getting my raise a month before I did, and was met with blank stares from management. When they finally caved and gave me the money I was owed I was deemed ungrateful because I wasn’t grovelling at their feet. By the way, my title was “Intern” until the day I left. “Old School” Everything about this place screams 1975. I’m still in shock that the computers were outfitted with the internet that’s how old school this place runs. All I heard during the interview process was “this is a professional work environment, we have clients coming in and out!” They gave me this long list of instructions on what I was to wear (it literally said no “obscene nail polish” I still don’t know what means), how to wear it and how to act. I wasn’t to wear any “cheap” clothing (rich, coming from a company that pays minimum wage) or outdoor shoes. I initially thought… wow this place runs a tight ship! Boy was I wrong. Everything is done in the slowest way possible. Articles are printed out, handed to the secretary, who then hands them to the first proofreader, once they are done they hand it back to the secretary who then starts the process over again two more times. Sometimes it took three weeks just to get an article proofread. Then there is the process of taking time off. The process includes going up to the sixth floor to request a form, then being called back up to get the sheet, then being forced to go back to your desk to fill out the god forsaken form, only to go back upstairs to hand the form to the receptionist. It once took me 20 minutes to take two days off, and you better believe I put that on my Activity Sheet. Also, the “clients” they speak of. Non-existent. During my time there I never saw one client come into the office. “Unprofessionalism”  Speaking of unprofessional… DBPC is the most unprofessional place I have ever worked. If you make one mistake you're berated, you're not allowed to talk or walk around the office at all. I once witnessed the receptionist lift up a co-workers shirt to make sure she wasn't wearing leggings. Sick days are a nightmare. Another issue with sick days -- it is company policy that if you miss three consecutive days you need a doctor's note.  Not according to management, who basically threatened to fire me because I called in sick. By the way I did have a doctor's note for the two days I missed. So it doesn’t really matter what you do they will try to intimidate you at all costs. “Work Environment” Writing for a magazine is a creative process. Right? Well according to DBPC it isn’t. There was a strict rule of “no foot traffic” while I was there, making it really hard to discuss things with my co-workers. Everything we did was monitored, to the point where DBPC had someone coming into our offices to ask us what we’re working on. We all had to refer to management as “Miss” or “Sir” like we were at boarding school. The temper tantrums over design by the art director were always a fun way to end the day, with her in tears and me in shock as to what was taking place in this “professional” work environment. “Writers” The communications team was hired to write articles but then later on, management would say we are actually content writers, saying our writing was terrible and boring, and that we are not credible journalists so we should shut up. Threatening to fire us, using slander etc. were techniques used to silence our protests. We were expected to write the calibre of Forbes Magazine and Fast Company, yet were restricted from interviewing sources. We were not allowed to leave the office building or pick up the phone to ask people questions. The communications team was not able to do the job that was required of them, and then blamed when the articles turned out “boring.” “Shady” There is something amiss at this company. The fact that the magazine is still running is a mystery that will remained unsolved. With a total subscription base of 6 people, none of whom subscribed over the past 3 years, it is quite the puzzle to solve. How can the company run with such little revenue? There is definitely something shady going on behind the scenes. “Toxic Environment” The toxic environment that comes from office gossip is unreal. After giving my opinion on the state of World Index (I was asked by her) I was deemed rude, and was told no one in the communications team wanted to work with me. This type of office gossip made DBPC an intolerable place to work. “Waste of Time” I get it you’re desperate for a job, everyone is. But you need to trust me that you will get more from a job at McDonalds than at DBPC, and you’ll probably be paid better too. The journalism industry is a tough one, but you will only hurt your chances at a reputable career if this is on your resume.  I wrote over 20 articles during my time there and I can’t put one in my portfolio. I was told on multiple occasions that I wasn’t a credible journalist and made to felt that my writing was subpar. That’s what DBPC will do to you. It will make you feel like you’re living in the Twilight Zone.Your time there will be spent in frustration, exhaustion and in utter disbelief in what’s happening around you. Your time is better spent putting your effort into finding a job at a real publication, if you need the money to pay the bills I suggest finding retail work, it will be more rewarding.