Desktop Publisher/Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher Blum Employee Review

1.0
7 July 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Some of the people are very nice. The building is state-of-the-art beautiful. Three weeks vacation after 1 year (but you are strongly advised to take your vacation time during the plant shutdown which coincides with the two busiest and most expensive weeks of the year for vacation).

Cons

This is the saddest and weirdest place I have ever worked in my entire life. The marketing department has a notoriously high turnover rate and rightly so. While I worked in this department I received very little training and work was withheld from me for the first 18 months. I was bullied, lied to repeatedly, built up only to be knocked down, humiliated and manipulated by management and co-workers having affairs. There is virtually no praise, only criticism (the CEO is particularly fond of humiliating people in meetings). The place is like a morgue; filled with countless rules, red tape and endless meetings to schedule more meetings. You can survive as long as you fit it and keep your head down. DO NOT be original or creative or think outside of the box. There is only the Blum way, the Blum path. Think Stepford Wives meets Jerry Springer meets the BORG - resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. It is a Graphic Designer's worst nightmare...

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Blum Response
9y
Thank you for your feedback. Sorry you felt your experience was that big of a problem for you. We would like to add the following points for consideration; A good part of our workforce is made up of employees with 15, 20 even 30 years with the company. Our turnover rates are found to be below recommended industry standards. We have an open-door policy that is available to all employees and can be used without fear of retribution. Work environment is very informal and when you walk around the facility you see people joking, laughing and interactions are relaxed and informal. We have identified some issues within that team and they have been addressed. New team members were added over the last couple of years as a response to increased demand on the team. Anyone walking thru the Marketing department or our break areas will see that this group exhibits a high level of comradery. They hold frequent informal meetings or discussions on a variety of work related topics where information is exchanged and decisions are often made by consensus. Additionally, on most days this group can be seen eating lunch together. We admit that we have well established work processes that allow us to maintain continuity with corporate practices. They can seem different to new hires but few experience long term struggles fitting in and contributing.

Explore other reviews about Blum

5.0
17 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good people work at this company.

Cons

The culture is very centered in doing things the way they have always been done.

2.0
2 June 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Blum historically offered a strong culture, excellent coworkers, long-term career opportunities, and a genuine commitment to employee development. For many years, leadership appeared to believe that taking care of employees would naturally lead to business success. The company invested in people, encouraged loyalty, and fostered a collaborative environment.

Cons

Over the past seven years, and especially in the last few years, the culture has changed dramatically. The focus appears to have shifted from employee well-being and sustainable growth to maximizing financial performance and driving ever-increasing workloads. Many employees are carrying responsibilities that would have previously been distributed across multiple roles. Expectations continue to increase while resources remain limited. As a result, burnout has become common, and even long-tenured employees who once envisioned spending their careers here are leaving or being pushed beyond reasonable limits. One of the most concerning changes is the growing disconnect between leadership and employees. Feedback is frequently requested, but many employees feel their concerns are not genuinely heard or acted upon. Decisions often seem to be made far from the people closest to the work, resulting in initiatives that create additional complexity without addressing operational realities. There also appears to be an increasing trend of promoting individuals into positions beyond their capabilities while discounting the expertise of experienced employees. This has contributed to declining morale, inconsistent decision-making, and a lack of confidence in leadership direction. Blum remains a financially strong company with excellent products and a respected brand. However, the employee-centered culture that once differentiated the company has been significantly diminished.

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