Toxic Work Environment with Zero Leadership
Pros
They seem to be genuinely focused on community service and outreach. If you enjoy a job with 100% freedom, then perhaps this is a good fit for you but know that that freedom comes with lack of policy, procedures, standards, peer accountability, management, or direction (plus a touch of backstabbing, gossip, and the ole throwing folks under the bus approach). Meeting expectations with such a poorly structured environment is near impossible for someone like me coming from a corporate environment, but may be ideal for a more independent role like a Broker.
Cons
After 60 days in with this company, in almost what seemed to be a 180° change, I realized how toxic the environment truly was. Constant whispering, non-stop gossip behind closed doors, confidential conversations being shared (definite shade between HR and the recruiter who placed me), belittling emails, unprofessional commentary, being yelled at for collaborating with your team, secretive meetings, constant negativity and b*tching, the list goes on. Paired with this were the unrealistic expectations to complete a multitude of projects with little (or more appropriately, unclear and inconsistent) direction, zero timelines/deadlines, and responsibilities beyond your job scope. You were expected to prioritize your tasks based on a totem-pole mentality (better appease the family members and the Queen Bee first) which affects the productivity of the company as a whole and undermines lesser valued employees and their needs. Coincidentally (after some of that aforementioned bus throwing) my role was “restructured”, even though not a single task or responsibility on my end actually showed change (my boss really stepped it up *cue sarcasm*). From day one, I had a Manager title but was a glorified Designer, discouraged from leading a team and pushed to act as an assembly line, producing work and passing it off. 30 days later they “decided it’s not working out”, which, to their own admission, essentially translated into “we know you’re looking for a new job”. How amazing is it that a company operates out of fear and assumption? On a positive note, I’m happy to finally be able to write this review thanks to my much welcomed departure. In the three months I was there, my boss never once said good morning. Not ONCE. On a rare occasion, she told us “have a good weekend” ONE time. ONCE in 90 days. If I had to hear one more huff or whisper or “I’m not trying to be a smart a$s” from her office, I swore I was going to start drinking. Probably one of the most unhappy humans I’ve ever met. No one at this organization collaborates, communicates, or shows any intent of being progressive in their efforts. It is an antiquated, every man for himself environment where any Creative soul would wither and die. There are some friendly folks, but the women here thrive on a catty, gossip fueled approach where backtalk comes easy and belittlement seems the best means to manage. The NewQuest approach to collaboration: “Don’t get to close to them (my direct reports) or it will be harder to reprimand them and give them negative feedback.” What a way to manage a team.