Think twice before accepting an offer from STIR - Anonymous employee STIR Employee Review

1.0
22 Mar 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

It's difficult to provide pros for this company, but Glassdoor requires them, so: - You will probably learn a lot and experience a significant amount of personal growth, solely based on the fact that you will be overworked and expected to take on much more than your (non-existent) job description entails and will likely reevaluate your life and career decisions.

Cons

- Compensation is not correlated to accomplishments/hard work. If you come in at entry level and/or are a woman, expect not to be paid as much as you're worth. Reviews do not happen unless requested and raises are few and far between. If you want a raise, expect to ask for it many times before it will be seriously discussed, and even then, don't expect much. - While you're given an average amount of PTO days, you will feel bullied into not taking them or guilty when you do take them. You do not get PTO for bereavement or jury duty, and are expected to work on holidays like Christmas Eve. Although not typically required, it is highly encouraged to work more than 40 hours per week and be as billable as possible/always looking for new business. - Expect to receive email after hours and on weekends that you are expected to promptly read and respond to. Management hides behind the computer and will not hesitate to send you email after email letting you know what you're doing wrong and how you're not fulfilling expectations. - It's largely a boys club, and management openly and inconsistently favors specific people over others. - Management has fostered somewhat of an autocracy in that they're the most superior/believe they do the most work/think their ideas are better than everyone else's. Also very right-wing conservative, religious and often displays/flaunts political and religious opinions and beliefs openly. The best advice I can give is to learn how to deal with management and not take everything personally because they will most likely offend/belittle you at some point. - Management insists on micromanaging your workload and knowing how you spend every minute of every day but, in the same breath, is too busy/can't be bothered to be tied down with minute details. - Almost certainly will you have to do much more than you signed up for. Formal job descriptions usually don't exist and when they do, they are not abided by. - Be careful of who you trust and who you confide in, especially upper management.

Explore other reviews about STIR

5.0
21 July 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Autonomous work environment Ability to take on different roles Flexible

Cons

Structure of a small company sometimes leads to ambiguity of tasks

5.0
21 Apr 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

STIR is a great agency, not only for a job in the ad industry but also to advance your career. The management hires talented people who want to make a difference and "own" their work. This is key because you don't find this at many other agencies. STIR is smaller than some other agencies in Milwaukee (I believe they are around 30 people) but I've found this to be an advantage because the agency, and those conducting the work, can be more swift to engage with clients and their clients work. This also opens the door for you as an employee to take the lead on more projects and grow in your role. The creative output from STIR is fantastic and there is an integrated approach mentality across the departments. Employees work hard and play hard. Everyone generally likes working with one another. Compensation and benefits was above average. I believe you start with two weeks vacation but that could be negotiated. There's always drinking to be done on Friday's and when new biz wins are announced. If you value a relaxed atmosphere, trust in your role and offering, mentorship, fun and exciting work - then this an agency for you.

Cons

Not many to list here. Just as there are with any agency, there were some small growing pains. Outlining digital processes and utilizing some external vendors was sometimes a challenge.

5
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