Hostelling International Reviews

management inconsistency and communication issues

1) Strong favoritism 2) Lack of fair, transparent leadership practices 3) No constructive feedback or accountability culture 4) Gossip and unverified reporting influence management decisions 5) Absence of respectful, adult communication when issues arise. Unprofessional conflict-management. Overall experience While the team on a peer level is generally kind and supportive, my overall experience in housekeeping was strongly impacted by systemic issues related to leadership, communication, and workplace culture. Over time, it became clear that favoritism and nepotism significantly influence decision-making, accountability, and how employees are treated. Workplace culture & management In the housekeeping department, power dynamics are uneven and inconsistently applied. Certain employees are treated very well, while others experience scapegoating, bullying, or exclusion. This selective treatment creates ongoing tension within the team and undermines trust and psychological safety. There is no healthy or mature conflict-resolution culture. Issues are not addressed through direct, adult communication. Instead, a culture of reporting or snitching is implicitly encouraged: Anyone can make claims about coworkers or even guests These claims are often not fact-checked Credibility is assessed based on personal relationships with management, not on evidence or fairness As a result, individuals who appear friendly or aligned with management are often believed without scrutiny. Ironically, I observed that some of those who outwardly maintained friendly relationships with management were also the ones spreading rumors and speaking most negatively about management and colleagues behind their backs. Psychological safety & feedback It did not feel safe to raise concerns or provide honest feedback. Employees who attempted to do so risked being labeled as “difficult” or became targets of further scrutiny. Accountability within leadership appears limited, as managers tend to protect each other rather than reflect on failures or support professional growth in leadership skills. Reputation & staff retention The housekeeping department at the Vancouver location has a well-known bad reputation among travelers and temporary workers, which is frequently discussed informally within the traveler community. Despite this, the location continues to attract sufficient staff due to Vancouver’s highly competitive job market, rather than because of positive working conditions in this department. While Vancouver’s competitive job market continues to supply staff, long-term retention and organizational credibility depend on fair treatment, psychological safety, and consistent management practices—not on labor market pressure.