Ozy Staffers Felt Pressure to Take Stock Options Over Pay Raises
- Former Ozy employees describe long hours, unrealistic demands
- Ozy journalist quits and investor returns stock in fallout
Carlos Watson
Photographer: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images
Some Ozy Media employees felt pressure from management to accept stock options instead of a higher salary, part of a demanding workplace culture that led to high turnover, according to interviews with people who worked there.
Ozy Chief Executive Officer Carlos Watson told employees that he wanted them to accept stock options so they felt like “owners” and would be invested in its long-term success, said the people, who asked to speak anonymously to openly discuss an employer. Some former employees haven’t been able to get the company to tell them how much those stock options are now worth.