Worthy Cause... Big Disappointment - Anonymous employee Crystal Stairs Employee Review

1.0
3 July 2013
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Colleagues who have worked at the company for a long period of time are passionate about the organization's mission. The company is funded to meet the educational needs of families in need in Los Angeles. Employees are encouraged to leave on-time(mostly so they do not violate labor laws but it does benefit someone looking for work-life balance).

Cons

Like big corporations, management is focused on meeting the bottom line and takes shortcuts at the expense of employees and programs. High levels of nepotism and politics prevail. It was a very different place under the former CEO. Entire HR department up and left one day -- says a lot right there. One day, I had had enough and handed in my resignation. Paranoid leaders scared of being upstaged and losing their place in the food chain managed people with an assembly line mentality, where seats should be filled at all times, but minds should be turned off to thinking. As a result, new ideas are not received and the organization rolls along like its 1972. Values including quality and responsibility are not fostered consistently. With such a great need for the services they are funded to provide, it is a shame. Today's challenges need big thinkers who can deliver creative solutions. To do that, organizational and cultural changes are needed. There is a lack of opportunities to grow and develop.

Explore other reviews about Crystal Stairs

5.0
8 Jan 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good work hours with flexibility

Cons

Need better pay rate nothing else

1.0
13 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

None. They don’t fire anyone because it’s hard for them to keep people

Cons

his is, without question, one of the most unprofessional workplaces I have ever experienced. The biggest issue is not the workload—it’s the culture that leadership has allowed to thrive. Gossip, favoritism, cliques, and negativity seem to be embedded in the organization from top to bottom. Management constantly talks about professionalism, respect, teamwork, and positivity, yet many employees experience the exact opposite. Program managers, coordinators, and supervisors often appear more interested in workplace drama than creating a healthy and productive environment. The same people who preach professionalism are often the ones contributing to the toxic atmosphere. Morale is terrible. Employees are left feeling unsupported, undervalued, and frustrated. There is a clear disconnect between what leadership says and what leadership does. Many staff members spend more time navigating office politics than focusing on their actual jobs. Human Resources has been one of the biggest disappointments. Employees are encouraged to speak up, but when concerns are raised, meaningful action often seems nonexistent. The result is a workplace where bullying, favoritism, disrespect, and unprofessional behavior are allowed to continue unchecked. What is most disturbing is the lack of protection for employees who are simply trying to do their jobs. People who remain professional and stay out of workplace drama often feel ignored, while toxic behavior is tolerated. Accountability appears to depend on who someone is friends with rather than on consistent standards. Leadership should be embarrassed by the culture that has developed under their watch. The President, Vice President, and senior management cannot continue to promote values they fail to enforce. An organization’s culture starts at the top, and the current environment reflects a serious failure of leadership. Until there is real accountability, genuine professionalism, and a commitment to protecting employees from bullying and workplace hostility, this organization will continue to struggle with morale, trust, and employee retention. Employees deserve better than a workplace where gossip carries more weight than integrity and where favoritism appears to matter more than performance.

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