11y
We've put everything imaginable into building a world-class environment, one that's been recognized by organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, publications like the Gainesville Sun, and our peers across the startup community. As a company, we were truly shocked and saddened to see this attack on our culture and the type of company we've all worked so hard to build. Especially knowing that this former employee herself expressed nothing but excitement and thankfulness for the environment while she was with us.
Sadly, the lesson we've learned is that no matter how great the environment, the compensation, and opportunity you present to a person, if they've been known to be negative towards others and their employers in past positions, it'll likely happen again.
Despite her hurtful review of our company, we do wish her the best in finding happiness somewhere.
It's important to note that this employee expressed on countless occasions to us that she loved her work; loved that she had the freedom to manage her responsibilities herself; loved that she'd received raises, bonuses and a promotion in a short time at the company; and loved that the company rewarded employees with perks that made her feel like she was in a special place.
For example, just days before announcing her resignation due to relocation, she wrote a letter to the owner/CEO around the holidays saying that he was a "special person" who was wonderful to work with, so giving of himself, and made her feel like part of a positive team environment like no other place she worked. At no point during her tenure did she express otherwise, despite the company always asking for such feedback (In fact, she actually hand-crafted the "anonymous suggestion box" she could have dropped any of these concerns into).
Since her negative review is sadly a part of public record now, it's important that we set the record straight on the specific items she mentioned for all those who may consider a career with our company:
Lunch:
The company buys lunch for employees from a local restaurant every day. A menu is passed around, employees simply write down what they'd like, and lunch is delivered to the office at 1pm. It's well established that if anyone doesn't want the free lunch option, they can take that time to do whatever they'd like instead. It is the most generous and "pressure"-free lunch policy we could think up.
Games/Challenges:
After lunch, employees have the option of playing a short game to have some fun with co-workers. Sometimes it's a paper airplane contest, sometimes Pictionary, and so forth. Employees love this part of the day. Games are 100% voluntary; they're simply a way to break up a work day and have a few laughs for whoever wants to play.
We're shocked that this employee expressed negativity about this silly tradition. Week after week, she'd excitedly offered up cup-stacking as a game she wanted to play, garbage-can basketball as another, and voted for various games every week she was with us. She'd even invite her boyfriend by the office to participate. We wish she'd opted not to play instead (the CEO opts out, for instance), as it's obvious that participation is purely optional.
Hanging Out After Work:
Contrary to her review, there is no company policy forcing people to hang out after work. What she may be referencing is that every 4-6 months, the company will buy dinner and drinks for employees after work. It's entirely optional. Sometimes there's 80% participation, sometimes 30%. Either way, this is certainly viewed as an optional perk and is representative of what most good companies do for their employees.
Salary:
Our company is known to pay market-leading salaries and significant profit-sharing bonuses. In this employee's case, her review of her salary not being "what was promised" is untrue.
Within just two months of coming aboard part-time, she was given a 7% hourly raise and full-time benefits. After six months, she was given a 20% raise and profit-sharing. She then was paid another $5k in bonuses over several months, which amounts to another 17% raise.
All told, in her 14 months, she was given 2 raises and multiple bonuses amounting to a 44% increase from her promised pay. And that doesn't include a dozen other paid perks. Simply put, few companies present their employees with as much financial opportunity as ours, and this employee was no exception.
Long story short:
While we're stunned by the negativity of her review, we still wish this former employee the best in finding an environment that's right for her. And we invite anyone whose read her review to ask around, ask our employees, or simply visit in person to discover for yourself just what we have going here. We're accomplishing amazing things, and we love the company and culture we've created along the way.
