WAAY

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

Matt Stein was just fired, so things could take a positive turn with a new news director that isn't an awful human being. A new GM is in place there too. But this station has been bought and sold multiple times in the last couple of years and no one's been able to actually do more to fix things than buy a few new vehicles and cameras. The building's disgusting and falling apart and on top of a mountain, so the commute to work sucks unless you live up there too. There are people there who want to do good work, but in my experience they never had enough support.

Ya'll don't know what you're talking about. WAAY was a mess before Matt got there. The news director before him was a witch. I learned so much working there.

All the managers want the reporters to do a good job. They won't let ya'lls stories on TV if they aren't any good.

I got 100x better and better than yall cuz I listened to Matt, Rachel and Regan. They don't always agree with what I want but they listen and will change their minds.

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

You will enter this place and want to leave your first day. Matt Stein is the problem. He always has been, and will be till he is fired. He is a liar, a manipulator, someone who doesn't know how to lead.

He will make you feel so unimportant, countless people have left the business after working for him.

Sexual Discrimination, Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment

It is troubling to know Matt Stein actually looks at these things (I know because he has pulled producers, reporters into his office to ask them about these ratings) and is writing the "good" reviews himself. The honest truth is this WILL be a horrible job for you. You WILL cry and HATE every second of it, and blame yourself for being so dumb to accept his offer. He is manipulative and fosters a toxic environment on purpose. In fact, he was fired from his job at WREG (Memphis) before coming to WAAY for creating a toxic environment. The station was even warned via email by a WREG employee (right before he started at WAAY) that he will create a toxic environment. This was known by upper management, including HR and the General Manager. Within a few months (YES MONTHS) of his arrival, nearly 14 quit (many of them broke their contracts including a member of management). Do not believe anything that paints the picture of WAAY being anything but a horrible place to work at where they will belittle you, break you down, and leave you in a puddle of your own tears just for their amusement. To put it simple, MOST PEOPLE break their contracts here. If you have any mind of your own at this station and dare to speak up, he will isolate you and make your work experience a living hell. DO NOT WORK HERE! I honestly wish I wasn't typing this. I honestly wish I, along with many others, had a pleasant experience here. But, knowing Stein is even trying to manipulate people who look this site up is disgusting and I had to say something. I just wish someone was looking out for me before I went there. You can do better.

Matt Stein is racist, homophobic, and sexist and should've never been hired. He has at least one complaint filed against him for the aforementioned things, and it would likely be more if he didn't instill fear in his employees.

They work hard to help you grow as a journalist, and I truly believe I wouldn't be where I am today without them. They are very good about providing guidance, advice, and constructive criticism. They always encouraged me and made me feel appreciated.