Need to work on Diversity & Inclusion as well as identity
Pros
- Set up staff with optional coaching (external) - Fun at times - The chance to work directly in climate action - Flexible with working from home (inc. outwith covid times) - open to feedback - everything I write here was fedback to the charity (both management and HR) and I always felt comfrotable doing so. - Regular one to one's - Met some lovely people
Cons
- It felt exclusive, elitist, judgemental - there is a huge need to work on their diversity and inclusion. Quite often I felt unwelcomed, mocked or judged for my life choices, enthusiasm, or my work ethic (mostly by long-standing volunteers) - Boundaries - not enough separation between management, board members, volunteers. It was hard to know who you can trust and come to in a professional capacity when volunteers who are very unwelcoming and bully-like are very good friends with management, and same with the boundaries between management to board members - again this was something they said they would take on board so hopefully they did. - I felt no opportunity for growth within the charity - Not much investment in training (though cocahing was great)- I asked to go on a certain training but was put on another that wasn't really within my interests or really even related to my main tasks. - undefined role - ended up doing los of the tasks that no one else wanted to do because my role was undefined, and felt that the more interesting and possibly more advanced tasks were given to newer staff members/intern (I was very happy for them but it was a bit hard to swallow and felt a little favouritist) - Misleading/unreliable information - was told throughout my contract that it was almost 100% certain my contract would be extended but then kind of last minute was told that due to the charity needing to look at their identity, they would not be able to extend my contract. Felt a bit confusing and a tad hurtful. They did extend for 2 more months to help give time to find another job with it being covid time so was grateful for this. - Turned me off woring in a charity for good, and almost in the environmental sector too - but have thankfully had an experience now where I can see that it is possible to work in an inclusive yet climate action focused place, where your character is celebrated and nurtured. My advice to anyone going for a role here would be: ask about their stance on diversity and inclusion. Don't be afraid to ask for triple clarification on things especially around contracts. Report to management or HR (if more comfortable) if you ever feel in anyway unwelcome or judged by anyone - they are very welcoming of open communication. Perhaps clarify if they have processes in place for if a negative situation was to arise - who you are meant to talk to etc. And be more sure of what you want for your career/skills so that you can ask clearly (unlike I did) about your development - where you might want to go, or what tasks you are and are not ok with doing.
