Marina Maher

Petty, catty environment, and mismanagement MMC had terrible leadership management and an environment that didn't foster learning and advancement. Instead, the staff was incredibly petty, with many conversations about other employees happening behind closed doors about anything from workwear attire to office politics. I remember feeling like the only way to get an "in" for an advancement in my career was to brown-nose senior leadership. While MMC prided itself on being a company that was female-driven, and could empower women, I felt otherwise. There was one time senior leadership told me "to use my looks" in order to gain attention from upper management. In addition, my entire career trajectory was stunted when a rumor began that I had a romantic relationship with a more senior level employee at the company. Rather than having human resources reach out to me, conversations were had behind closed doors by senior leadership about me and my employment, a junior level employee. The rumor also affected my work relationships with both colleagues and managers, but no one even addressed the issue directly with me. The situation was mishandled and unprofessional, to say the least, and made me feel like my role and value at the company didn't matter. When it came to learning opportunities for junior level employees, all of the juniors were situated in one room, prohibiting open communication within teams and those who could help provide growth. I also remember being asked, "are you sure this job is for you?" as if my skill set didn't fit the role. I now am a senior account executive at a different agency, and realize that it wasn't my skill set, but the way the company refused to allow opportunities that would acknowledge or help juniors learn and grow. Not to mention, MMC also thought that it was okay to underpay me by $20,000 in comparison to not only the NYC average for those at my level in the industry, but also in comparison to coworkers at the same level. Following all that happened, MMC pulled me into an HR meeting where I learned I was being let go--there was no mention of the rumor that had begun, and no explanation as to why my role at the company was being terminated. I would never recommend anyone to work at MMC following my experiences there. From the catty staff, misguided leadership, false representation of its so-called values, and seeing other co-workers tormented and bullied by their own teammates to tears, MMC is a hell-hole for anyone wanting to establish a foundation for their career.