It's old school corporate: politics gets promoted not talent. And everyone else is just a piece of meat. - Administrative Assistant Mattel Employee Review

3.0
Apr 7, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

And a employer name you don't have to explain to people, casual dress all week, 1/2 day Fridays, 2 weeks off at Xmas, and decent benefits IF you are permanent (which Mattel rarely does now). Oh and no 13th floor in the tower. So, THAT silly superstition is still being perpetuated (by a multi-billion dollar corporation).

Cons

Politics & "old-boys club" prevails. If you're in the executive club, you'll be rewarded handsomely -- higher pay, stock options, car leases, trips, gifts, etc. But the people who actually do the work are squeezed about day-to-day spending needed to do their job. Then management will go waste thousands of dollars on some crap "gift" that is left on every employee's desk to announce a new product or event. (Cool! I can't make rent this month, but at least I have a set of cheap ear-buds that I don't need in a fabric zip-pouch with the Mattel logo on it. Totally worth being homeless for that!) The annual review process is a rigged-game -- raises are budgeted 6 months before the reviews are even written. And if everyone does a great job, it actually means LESS of a raise for each person because there is just so much allocated to the peon class. Anyone can be laid off when the company has even one bad quarter (even if you had nothing to do with the low sales)...but the exec who was in charge of that low-income division still has HIS job. So, unless you are one of the "chosen ones", this is not a company that supports & promotes employee happiness or growth. They just don't get that happy employees = improved business & profits, nor do they seem to care.

Explore other reviews about Mattel

5.0
Feb 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Mattel is a notable name and you get to work with some really great brands.

Cons

Strict in-office policy, 4 days in-office.

4.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits if you get hired.

Cons

They mostly hire temp employees so they don’t have to pay benefits, but you aren’t temp. You are full time.

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All