Shocked to find it's a cult! Treats all employees & "beneficiaries" like sub-human. - Manager In Training The Salvation Army Employee Review

1.0
27 Oct 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The customers at the thrift shop can be great.

Cons

As a manager in training, I have had a brief bird's eye view into what it's all about. Two thigs bother me most. First, none of the clothes are washed, including underwear. That's gross! Mostly, they have a program that is supposed to help addicts, and people with other issues at these centers called A.R.C.s. The first thing that they do is have them get on foodstamps, then have them sign them over to them. As a manager, you are told never to be extend them more than "common courtesy", and in this organization that means they want them talked down to. They do not pay these people either. They aren't even supposed to be in the front of the store. They are kept in the back like a dirty little secret. Long and short, they have their lives in their hands, and they play God with it. I cannot wait to find another job. This one is too sad. It's a money making machine off of free labor and underpaid employees.

Explore other reviews about The Salvation Army

5.0
7 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Loved being part of the mission to help anyone in need. Everyone was great to work with and it was such an encouraging environment.

Cons

Lots of long and outdated internal processes.

1
2.0
2 July 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The work itself can be incredibly rewarding. The role provides meaningful opportunities to create a safe, welcoming environment for families experiencing homelessness through engaging events, activities, and programming. It offers a great deal of creativity and the chance to make a tangible difference in clients' daily lives. The organization also provides good benefits and appreciated perks, such as snacks and meals for staff.

Cons

Communication is often inconsistent, and much of the information needed to perform the job relies on institutional knowledge rather than clear processes or training. Cross-department collaboration can feel disconnected, leaving staff feeling isolated and unsupported. Leadership is not always aligned, resulting in unclear expectations, inconsistent direction, and confusion that can affect both employees and the quality of services provided to clients. Requests for guidance or feedback may go unanswered, making it difficult to move projects forward effectively. Employees are encouraged to develop community partnerships and expand programming, but organizational processes can be rigid, making collaboration with outside organizations challenging. Significant time and effort may be invested in projects or partnerships that are ultimately delayed, canceled, or substantially changed late in the process without clear communication. Standards for employee accountability appeared to be applied inconsistently. In my experience, some employees were given repeated flexibility for attendance or performance issues, while others faced more severe consequences for less significant concerns. This created a perception of favoritism and undermined trust in leadership. I also observed decisions that raised ethical concerns for me. At times, organizational priorities appeared to take precedence over transparency, consistency, and client-centered decision-making. This made it difficult to advocate effectively for clients and maintain trust with community partners. Frequent leadership changes led to shifting priorities that were not always well planned or communicated, creating uncertainty for staff and disrupting continuity of services. Staff turnover was high, increasing workloads and contributing to inconsistency. While trauma-informed care was emphasized, implementation was inconsistent, and the overall approach could at times feel more directive than collaborative or client-centered.

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