Let me begin by saying when I left Stoneage it was on my terms. I was not, am not, nor will I ever be truly disgruntled. I just have a higher moral and professional standard than I was afforded there. Furthermore, I worked in upper management for a very large, very well known, tech firm prior to coming on board. I'm graduate degree educated as well. I've had a very long career spent mostly in management positions within various major corporations and companies. It wasn't long after starting at Stoneage that it became clear this was a very up and coming company with lots of potential, yet they seem to be moving backward in many ways. It was the single most frustrating position I've been in professionally. They are top heavy and the focus went from the everyday employee to upper management. I'd agree with another poster in the fact that the CEO is very immature (professionally) and lacks tact in many facets. I personally sat in many meetings where inappropriate comments were not only made on a regular basis but many could easily be perceived as discriminatory, inflammatory, and in some cases career ending. Many instances became more a matter of how well someone was liked versus actual merit. I believe the founders created an amazing company but it's gone astray and has led to a less cohesive environment. Management often times turns a blind eye to blatant discrimination and favoritism. It was ultimately enough for me to leave and pursue something more rewarding. I cannot in good conscience watch as good employees are discounted, disregarded, made fun of, and ultimately harassed until they either leave or are let go. During these times I sat front and center during meetings and conversations while the company danced around real issues always assuring their rears were covered. Many employees who are shown the door are left disheartened, scarred, and professionally damaged from the experience. It's a very "good ol' boy" type environment. The focus is on management period! Without question, the support, encouragement, growth, and fiscal benefits go to the upper management. There's little value in diversity amongst the employees. The CEO, while a friendly person, is ill-equipped to lead such an organization to the next level and in fact leads with a bit of fear-based tactics. They do have great benefits but being a small mountain town I'd say keep looking if you want something fair, diverse, and run with their employees (all levels) in mind first. As many in our small town have learned, don't judge a book by its cover and don't bank your career, living in Durango, or your happiness in this place. It's time for a change at Stoneage and I truly do wish them luck but the board, founders, and stockholders should demand change and that needs to start at the top. I won't be the least bit surprised to see this company in the news for not so glowing situations. It's an extremely top heavy company structured to reward and encourage management without much moral, legal, or structural guidance. Much of what I witnessed in regards to the treatment of many employees was wrong on so many levels. Within Stoneage, there's a saying that you are either "anointed or you are not". Those who are not , have little chance of making it there. They tend to hire overqualified staff from out of town and those who are locals, hard workers, and dedicated employees often times find themselves unemployed or bullied to the point of resignation.
