Sean K Reynolds on working at Paizo (and other companies)

[Nikosandros]

SKR has posted on his blog about his experiences while working at Paizo and other companies. There is another thread about the Wired article mentioned, but this is more detailed about the specifics of his experiences. An interesting, if sad, reading, IMHO.

 

[MGibster]

When they got us better coverage, they made sure to note that in our annual review and summary of compensation (“Your salary is $38k, but we’re also providing you with a health insurance policy that costs us $10k, so that’s like your total compensation is $48k”).

This is known as total compensation. It's the combination of your base salary along with whatever benefits you might receive including paid vacations, health insurance, etc., etc. Generally speaking, you don't win many people over by touting the total compensation package as most employees are more interested in what affects their bottom line. Namely their salary. Having good insurance is great, but most people are more concerned with their base salary.

And after reading that article, once again I realize why so many people only dabble when it comes to working on games. That's not even getting into issues of harassment.

 

[aco175]

The take away is to not work for Paizo or Erik Mona. Another is that the culture is poor at Paizo and no wonder they want a union. Grain of salt from former employee taken of course.

 

[ReshiIRE]

Considering everything that Crystal Fraiser, Diego, and other former and current staff have said, Sean K is adding to a chorus of voices stating, quite simply, that Paizo needs to clear out upper management and engage constructively with the union.

Makes me regret buying the core books just before all this came out. :|

 

[TheSword]

Interesting, and quite sad. I can’t help thinking the rot starts at the top. The chewing someone out and repeating the next day with a Dalek filter, or raising concerns in writing and a senior manager reading it on the shop floor.

I can say without doubt, if I did either of those two things, I would be fired for gross misconduct. The first for bullying and harassment, the second for harassment/bullying or possibly a breach of trust and confidence.

The apple has fallen very far from the tree.

On the flip side. It was good to hear Sean enjoyed his year back at WOC and didn’t seem the same toxic culture there.

 

[payn]

I got off the Paizo wagon at PF2. Wasn't mad or anything, I just didn't like it. Though, this makes it easier to stay away.

 

[Elvish Lore]

Erik Mona sounds like a real jerk. Wow.

 

[Umbran]

Erik Mona sounds like a real jerk. Wow.

Mr. Mona seems to have gone to a very poor school of management, at least.

 

[Tyler Do'Urden]

Sad to hear this about Paizo. I couldn't imagine accepting a $38k salary in the Seattle area even in the late 2000s... when I was trying to find a job there in 2007 before I moved overseas I was targeting $50k bare minimum. How can anybody live on that?

Though there's one positive takeaway from this - Monte Cook's reputation as a mensch remains unspoiled. Glad to know there are some people in the industry who aren't jerks.

 

[Parmandur]

That's some pretty awful stuff.