Pros
- Diversity and inclusion policies - Benefits (not including pay) - National offices (although not so well integrated within the business)
Cons
This feedback reflects my experience in Hachette UK's central teams and may not fully represent the experience within the publishing divisions, though some points apply across the entire company. - Managerial Training and Readiness: Many managers are promoted to positions they are neither prepared for nor adequately trained to handle. - Lack of Progression Support: There is minimal support for career advancement, whether through adequate training, salary increases, or promotions. Progression at Hachette/Publishing often requires putting in long hours to gain significant experience, particularly within central teams. - Promotions and Salary Increases: Significant promotions and salary increases occur only when employees resign or when their line managers leave. This is a consistent trend throughout the company, affecting both central teams and divisions. - Recognition and Rewards: High performance and significant team efforts are neither rewarded nor celebrated, whether through team events, salary increases, promotions, or training opportunities. - Clarity and Strategy: Objectives and team strategies are often unclear, making it difficult for employees to see a path for their own development or progression. - Valuing National Office Employees: Employees in national offices feel undervalued compared to those in the main London office. - International Mobility: There is little facilitation or encouragement for mobility between different countries. - Work Hours: Long hours are a common expectation. - Training Quality: The quality of training offered to central teams is generally poor, lacking in depth and effectiveness. While publishing and management-oriented trainings are somewhat adequate, other types of training are virtually non existent or not very advanced. - Onboarding Experience: The onboarding experience has been poor, although it has improved over the years. - Internal Communications: Internal communications around organisational changes are lacking, with changes often not being communicated or explained thoroughly. - Work Environment: The work environment for central teams tends to be unenthusiastic and uninspiring. - Team Collaboration: Most teams are understaffed and primarily focus on their own goals, with little encouragement for collaboration between teams.
