Pros
NPR's new headquarters building is one of the company's strongest selling points. Not "palatial" as a Washington Post writer described it but well-appointed and spacious. With all the buyouts and layoffs, it's definitely getting roomier by the month. The fitness center, the Sound Bites cafeteria, the outdoor deck areas and many of the spaces within the building are all first rate. Because NPR does journalism, the people are generally smart and curious across a range of topics. It's probably the closest thing you'll find to a university campus without actually being one. Because NPR's sweet spot is broadcast journalism, NPR people obviously love to talk. You'll never lack for sprightly conversation there.
Cons
All those buyouts and layoffs I mentioned earlier certainly are among the negatives. The departures and the fear of more exits have sapped morale across NPR. The company has been trying to close deficits for most of the past two to three years as revenues from corporate sponsorships fell during the recession and never came back sufficiently. Meanwhile, NPR has for decades had a reputation for bad management and leadership. That record, unfortunately, remains unbroken. While there are some very good mid-level managers who have somehow managed to keep their integrity and provide the kind of leadership that makes for productive and engaged employees, something about NPR must bleed these qualities out of most senior managers, if they ever had them to begin with. As a journalism organization, NPR's supposed to be about transparency and truth. Its leaders too often seem to forget this, not being honest with employees. In this, NPR isn't alone. (New York Times, are you listening?) Managers also seem to get away with a fair amount of mismanagement without being held accountable. The Juan Williams fiasco is that rare exception. NPR's oversight structure is also a problem. Managers from its member stations make up its board. That produces a conflict of interest since what's good for the stations (not allowing NPR to compete with them in fundraising from donors in the member stations' markets, for instance) isn't always what's best for the company and vice versa. To change the governance would require the board's approval. Don't hold your breath for that one.