Composition Specialist - Fun place to work. Tedious work at times with late hours. - Electronic Composition Specialist III R.R. Donnelley Employee Review

4.0
19 Sept 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I worked on financial documents for this company in their Charlotte office. You work hard in a relaxed atmosphere and build some pretty good friendships along the way. The training was solid and done by a seasoned pro. A wide range of folks work here, so that's good and bad. Plenty of overtime opportunities. Easy to be here.

Cons

The amenities and late-night shift hours are reminiscent of a bad hotel with flickering lights, but the friendships developed along the way more than make up for it. Work/Life balance is tough on 3rd shift, but if you like that, good for you. You don't get paid a ton of money, but you can make up for that with overtime which typically comes aplenty (though that may have changed). Again, there are a wide range of folks who work here who have slept varying amounts during the day, so be sure to tread lightly at times.

Explore other reviews about R.R. Donnelley

5.0
11 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Work life balance People are great They take time to teach you if you dont know something

Cons

Nothing here is a con

2.0
7 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The schedule is pretty consistent, and you get benefits, PTO, and sick time. Depending on the team you're on, you may have the chance to work holidays or pick up overtime at 1.5x pay. There is also Shift differential pay. Some teams also have hybrid schedules, which is a nice perk. It's a solid place to get experience and build your resume. The skills and connections you make here can lead to other opportunities in the future.

Cons

Pay: Things may be different now, but when I worked there, the pay felt uneven depending on the position. For example, proofreaders made around $17/hour, document specialists around $19/hour, and workflow coordinators around $22/hour (before shift differentials). Given the responsibilities of some roles, the compensation didn't always seem to match the workload. Parking: Parking was honestly one of the worst parts of working there. You almost have to consider it part of your commute. The main option is a multi-level parking garage, and your choices are usually either the top floor, where your car bakes in the sun all day, or the floor below, where the available spots are typically all the way in the back. Accessibility / Commute: The office is located in a very busy area, which can make getting in and out a hassle. Between traffic, the light rail crossings, finding parking, walking through the garage, crossing the lobby, and taking multiple elevators, the commute often felt longer than it should have been. Lunch: Lunch is a 30-minute unpaid break. It's standard, but it does mean your day ends up feeling longer since you're either working 7.5 hours plus lunch or staying an extra 30 minutes before heading home. My Experience: I worked on a team that supported a large law firm. From my perspective, the team often felt understaffed and overworked. During my time there, I also saw management change several times, which made it difficult to maintain consistency. One thing that was particularly frustrating was the lack of internal promotion opportunities. When leadership positions opened up, the company often chose external candidates instead of promoting people who were already doing the work and understood the clients. It was discouraging for employees who wanted to grow within the company, and I saw several experienced and knowledgeable coworkers leave after being passed over for advancement opportunities. That said, this was my experience with one specific team. Other teams may have had very different experiences, management styles, and opportunities.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All