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The business empire of YouTube star Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson has come under fire following allegations from former employees describing a toxic workplace culture.
Reviews posted on Glassdoor have painted a grim picture of what it’s like working for the well known content creator, raising concerns over workplace wellbeing and employee treatment.
Some ex-staff likened the work environment to a “cult,” with one describing their tenure as filled with “long hours, little to no recognition, and no unions.” The criticism highlights what they called a “negative work environment” stemming from inadequate human resources management and operational practices.
A recurring theme among the 37 online reviews was the claim of poor communication systems within the company. Several posts criticized the reliance on Discord for internal communications instead of professional HR platforms like Slack.
“HR is terrible,” one former employee bluntly wrote, adding, “You get a Word document for orientation—three sentences on it, not even a MrBeast logo. Just very amateur.”
Further complaints included allegations of low wages for many positions and a lack of job security. Several reviews warned potential employees about being hired on a part-time or contract basis, stating these roles often ended abruptly as part of what they described as an “experiment.”
“I'm impressed no one has died yet but there'[s] been injuries!”, said one review.
Problematic HR operations
Some former employees also pointed to what they saw as a lack of professionalism within the company’s leadership. One post singled out MrBeast’s mother, Susan “Sue” Parisher, who reportedly oversees HR operations, as part of the problem.
The frustrations weren’t limited to operations. One scathing review, posted in July, called the company a “cliquey youth cult,” accusing the leadership of exploiting workers. “They squeeze every drop of juice out of you,” the reviewer alleged.
Despite the harsh criticism, the allure of working for MrBeast - the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber - remains a powerful draw for many job seekers. Still, some reviewers questioned the trade-off, calling on the company to improve its internal systems.
One former staffer summed up their advice for the company: “Hire real corporate people to organize this disaster.”
Challenges to reputation
MrBeast, known for his extravagant philanthropy and high-production content, is also currently embroiled in two workplace-related lawsuits.
One is by a former producer over alleged unpaid overtime. The producer, Brittany Carter, allegedly worked 75 hours a week without proper compensation.
The suit seeks 'unpaid wages, overtime…damages, and attorney’s fees…for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and North Carolina Wage and Hour Act'.
As his brand continues to grow, ongoing allegations and legal disputes could present significant challenges to its reputation.
Neither Donaldson nor his representatives have publicly responded to the claims, leaving the company’s handling of workplace wellbeing and HR issues under intense scrutiny.
