Hey r/Antiwork, throwaway account and long post warning. I'm specifying the US state this takes place in (Massachusetts), but keeping other details vague, as I'm still employed here but actively looking for other employment. I've been on Reddit for a long time (I think 10 years? IDK) on my main account, but I'm mostly a lurker and have maybe 2 posts, so forgive format errors. I need some insight for a work problem and how to let the future employees know how toxic this place is. TL;DR at the end.
I work in the technology/chemistry industry for a company known for low balling it's employee's salaries (there's a lot of chemistry companies from pharmaceuticals to electronics in Boston), despite competing in the Boston market for hires. As such, we're always overworked and underemployed. A lot of employees have been with the company since it was really small and have been brought up in positions they're not really qualified for because they grew withy the company. It should be a red flag to new hires that employees have either been here forever or a couple years with no in between.
I've been with them on and off for about 3-4 years through consulting and most recently (2 years ago) a permanent position as a full time. Originally, I was brought in because my previous company was acquired by the company this post is about. I took the full time position because I countered their original offer with a salary and bonus structure I thought they'd never take, but because my knowledge base is very strong (think only a few people in the US with my knowledge base) in a niche part of their business, they accepted my counter with promises that they'll give me the business unit to run inside of a year (not in writing, mistake #1). I hold all qualifications required (industry experience, MBA, etc.) for the future position. Enter my co-worker, Karen, who is in charge of another group (supervisor of <3 employees) within engineering. She's been passed around for 8+ years she's been with the company from group to group burning every bridge along the way because no one can work with her. For some reason, the head of HR and her boss (a VP and board member) LOVE her, despite her openly bragging about her HR file, "as thick as a book" or how she'll, "say whatever is on (her) mind and not give a f*** who hears it" (I've witnessed this in front of customers and executives in the company). She's got a lot of talent in producing colorful spreadsheets and timetables, but produces nothing but roadblocks to success and is late on everything. She has a way with words and can be very sweet when she needs to be. Most recently, it was found (by me and my boss) she was falsifying data for 4 years to roadblock a new product launch that she didn't believe in that has now cost the company an estimated $5-$10 million in revenue. Somehow, she convinced her boss it was an honest mistake and she's back in control of that project.
I started asking around for help in dealing with her, as my projects were directly being affected, about a year ago. First managers, then directors, VP's, the CEO, then finally, HR. I didn't start with HR because I knew the head would back Karen, so what's the point (HR is there for the company, not the employee). When asking for advise, I wasn't slamming her or demanding her be fired, rather I was asking for help in working with her to get my projects completed. I wanted my complaints to be heard, not dismissed, and I knew if I came into these meetings with fire and brimstone in my eyes, nothing would change. Most people I talked to understood where I was coming from (she has a reputation) and offered advice as well as off the record sympathy that I had to deal with her daily. By the time I did get to her boss and HR after exhausting all over avenues for help, I was done with getting no where. I laid it out and used every word I possibly could that HR should be afraid of to try and get some help including bullying, abusive workplace, and I even told HR that I dreaded driving into work and was going on anxiety medicine to help stop bringing workplace stress home (my work stress was heavily affecting home life and my wife comments all the time that I'm a bundle of nerves). The response I got from her boss (BoD member and VP)? “Well, her heart's in the right place and she really does want the company to succeed”. From HR? “She's trying REALLY hard to be a better person in the workplace.” I should also mention that Karen has gotten really good over the years of not leaving a paper trail of these incidents, so no, I don't have much in writing other than her outright admitting she refuses to work on anything with my name attached to it.
I have a few very promising irons in the fire for future employment outside of this industry, but on my way out, how do I let future employees know about the toxicity of this place? I know glassdoor.com exists, is this the best way?
TL;DR: Company I work for employs a Karen who's protected by the head of HR and a BoD member, despite fat HR file and complaints of bullying and abuse by myself and others.