Part of me finds it difficult to make a fair assessment. European vs American workplace culture makes it more shocking in a sense and certain protections we are used to just can't be expected over there and it differs state to state.
Then there are no guarantees other brands aren't doing the same, from the other input it appears that the big 3, Coty, L'Oréal and Estée Lauder Companies all have set the template for beauty brands to treat their staff in a certain way. Start ups have their own issues and a lot is excused away as 'start up issues' rather than brand founders are simply incapable of running a business and treating staff with respect. Then there's the business model of investing in small business brands, injecting just enough cash to make it a threat to a larger corporation, sell it to said corporation and either suddenly become crap or cease existing all together where essentially whatever happens within those businesses isn't of concern to anyone as it's just a temporary place holder.
But none of that excuses it, and for me simply knowing of it does put me off purchasing Briogeo, but I was already somewhat suspect about the universal love of it (but they don't offer samples), winning loads of beauty magazine awards (that are known to be easily bought) and they've had a weird relationship with the black hair community despite having origins there.
I currently use Christophe Robin haircare, equally ridiculously priced but a bottle lasts me a year. I usually end up coming back to this brand, and should probably just stick with it. However, I'm no more convinced things are better over there than elsewhere. Though I did get the impression that at least the big corporations like L'Oréal are far better employers in Europe than in the US.