Work somewhere else - Anonymous employee Swann Galleries Employee Review

Swann’s 30% turnover rate in the last year speaks for itself. Here’s some additional information. Management believe themselves and each other only, in spite of repeated requests for intervention for unfairness or poor treatment. One employee had numerous complaints about them and was subsequently offered a promotion. There is no HR department. Previously, the office manager handled such issues, but was close friends with top-tier management and did not act as an advocate for lower-level employees (this person has since quit). I went to this person frequently in my two years at Swann about a boss whose management style consisted primarily of public humiliation and belittlement. I was accused of lying and sabotaging files; I was told I made myself and her look “stupid” for asking a question; I was given contradictory instructions and, when I asked for clarification, told to “figure it out,” inevitably incorrectly. When I went to management about these and more issues, often in tears, I was told that that’s just how things are. Once we had a meeting with the President about how to improve the working environment, and he openly treated the meeting with contempt, frequently interrupting his own staff to ask when the pizza would come. He also continued to use the wrong pronouns for a trans employee, despite reminders. Staff are expected not to take their full hour for lunch and leaving for errands or snacks is frowned upon, unless you’re a senior staffer. You will be paid less than industry standard. Your advanced degrees will be mocked by senior staff. Young women are frequently be hired because they can be paid less and ogled by certain members of staff.