- Serious management issues: managers at Healthier Colorado have an extremely difficult time communicating their expectations, but no problem lashing out when unstated expectations are not met. There’s very little support if you have problems with this management style because the organization is small and directors seem to feel that they should support one another blindly rather than listening to staff.
- Poor professional/personal boundaries and catty organizational culture: the organizational culture feels more like a petty group of high school friends than a group of advocates working to improve the lives of others. I frequently heard management and colleagues speak terribly about former employees, both professionally and personally. They seem to strongly dislike everyone that once worked there and it is extremely uncomfortable. I’m in favor of forming friendships at work when it’s natural, but at Healthier Colorado it’s mandatory if you want to be treated well as an employee.
- Frivolous spending: HC was established by a very generous endowment from the Colorado Health Foundation and they aren’t shy about spending that money. Not just on necessary things to further the organizational mission, but on expensive celebratory lunches following board meetings and all-you-can-drink happy hours. This might sound like a benefit, but I felt saddened to see the waste of money, as it felt irresponsible. Those funds could be used to support other organizations' good work, but instead, they are heavily misappropriated.
- Negative community reputation: when you talk to other folks in policy and advocacy around Colorado, they likely either don't know much about Healthier Colorado or don't think highly of the organization. The negative sentiments in the community are founded on the organizational tendency to take credit for legislation and ballot initiatives that they had little or nothing to do with. I have heard this complaint repeatedly from colleagues at many other organizations.
If you are a potential employee looking for a place where you can work hard to improve the lives of others while learning and growing, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
