Corrosive Culture Outweighs The Benefits
Pros
Can be a great atmosphere for book lovers who enjoy a fast paced environment with the ability to move up the ladder. Interesting people, fun finds and some flexibility. Almost impossible to get fired (with the exception of the pandemic, where they released 78% of their staff with no warning)
Cons
Moving into a more corporate mindset despite the facade of the family owned independent bookstore. Management doesn't respect their staff and are often morally inept when it comes to even the simplest of policy (ethics, harassment, retaliation, safety, etc.). The benefits have got significantly worse over time. Raises have also drastically shrunk to essentially non-existent and the bonuses happen or don't based on how financially responsible the company decided to be quarterly. Upper management has repeatedly found ways to sweep real offenses under the rug and use their power to push people out the door. The company has moved far from what made them a special place for its employees and its customers. They have extremely bad business practices and have taken so many missteps recently that I feel they have damaged their image beyond repair.
