Journal of Environmental Management

Personal Experience Only: Submitted one month ago, it took 15 days from submission to "with editor" status (personally, I have submitted to no less than 20 environmental journals, and this one is the slowest). Finally, after waiting for "with editor," one week later, I checked and it was still in the "decision in progress" (personally, gradually becoming insane). Generally, being in the "decision in progress" stage without being sent for review is like a death sentence, but they decided to give me a suspended sentence. Thank you very much, Mr. Editor!!!! After that, I contacted customer service directly, and they said the editor had made a decision, and the email would be delivered when appropriate (personally, ...!!!). It's like they're playing games, rejecting slowly and accepting quickly. It's really disgusting. Rejection already means that I have to spend time resubmitting. I need to clarify that this manuscript was rejected within one day of submission to another journal, so why does JEM need so much time to make a decision??? Finally, unable to bear the agony, I sent an email expressing my protest, stating that if the editor does not intend to send it for review, then they should not make the author wait for such a long time and should reject it anyway. After saying all of this, it has been three days and it is still in "decision in progress." This submission experience is the most disgusting one I have ever had!! (This is only my personal opinion about this particular submission experience and does not represent others).

I dare say there should be no one slower than me!!!

2022.12.27 Submit to journal
Forgot when it was with the editor
2023.01.13 Under Review
2023.05.29 Required reviews complete (This was only completed under my urging. It has been five months since submission. Urged on May 28th, required reviews complete on May 29th. If I hadn't urged, who knows when it would have been completed.)
2023.06.01 Received reviewer's comments (minor revisions)
2023.06.13 Submit to journal
2023.06.16 Under Review (since then, the status has remained unchanged)

(For the second review, two reviewers were invited. Both reviewers accepted the invitation, but it's unclear if they are the same as the previous reviewers. One reviewer has returned their comments as of June 26th, but the other one still hasn't provided any results. Did they go on vacation? Does it really take this long for minor revisions? I submitted in 2022 and it's still not finished. I'm so frustrated. I will be more cautious about submitting to JEM in the future. Their efficiency is so low, it's almost comparable to Urban Climate's inefficiency. I wonder if any fellow researchers have any suggestions on how to contact the second reviewer. I have already sent reminders through the system and to Elsevier, I dare not send another one.)