So here's the deal. You create a show for Gimlet, but you do not work for Gimlet. That means all of the Union protections and institutional benefits of working for a Spotify company are non-existent. Instead you are left working for a dysfunctional startup with the following issues: -Whether you are a producer, associate producer, or production assistant, the production demands are the same with no delineation between roles. So everyone is creating the same amount of content no matter the pay scale. (This actually does work out for producers with no portfolio as they can get six feature length episodes under their belt in a few months. But, again, they aren't being paid appropriately for their work.) -Production process is unreasonable with a producer expected to create a 30-minute documentary every 6 weeks with no breaks in between. This churn schedule does not take into account vacation or sickness, so you just have to work harder if you want/need time-off. -No editorial agency as the EP and Gimlet have full control of how stories are told, even though the executives do not participate in any of the heavy lifting (research, reporting, interviews, or writing). -When concerns are brought to management, they appear to listen and are open to change, but then continue on with extractive and unhealthy practices. HR is hired out, so there really are no other options for correction. -Management prioritizes corporate (Gimlet) needs, instead of the well-being of their staff. All of these issues combined creates a burnout environment with serious detrimental effects on the mental health of staff. That's one of the major reasons why turnover is so high with a new producer or guest editor going in and out every two months. The other reason is that management is very inexperienced so defaults to firing or pushing staff out when they don't know how (or want) to fix a problem. It should be noted that Gimlet seems to be aware of all these issues, but does nothing to help staff. In some instances, the Gimlet executives actually contribute to the dysfunction.
