Toxic culture with bullies as managers - Charity Worker Children First Employee Review

1.0
9 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are many lovely people and volunteers in the organisation, who are there for the right reasons.

Cons

Complete absence of stable leadership. Management are dismissive, unsupportive and dishonest. They minimise any issues raised by staff, who are then labeled as difficult or negative. No accountability by managers. Refusal by managers to document decisions, allowing them to deny anything that’s been said or agreed. Repeated instances of contradicting previous instruction or decisions, leading to confusion and discord. Managers discussing individual in open forums in a derogatory way, rather than addressing directly with individuals. Short-staffing a long standing issue, while workload continues to increase. Part-time staff and volunteers intentionally excluded from access to important information and tools, staff social occasions and training. Volunteer support actively discouraged. Absurd absence policy that treats employees like naughty children.

Explore other reviews about Children First

2.0
12 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great local services, frontline staff really care about children and families Good annual leave

Cons

Toxic management culture, despite frequent surveys things never change. Poor learning and development opportunities, dishonest and insincere attitude towards diversity and inclusion, teams frequently understaffed due to people quitting from unreasonable workloads/bullying. Gaslighting and manipulation from senior leaders, bullying and intimidation frequently reported by staff but never resolved. I think senior leaders believe their behaviour can go on undisputed however from the amount of staff leaving these things cannot stay under wraps forever! You would think this review, just like the many others posted here, would prompt some sort of reflection, and yet it did not happen during my time at this organisation.

2
1.0
18 Jul 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Holiday allowance was fairly good even for a new start.

Cons

The days can seem very long especially if you have to travel a lot. One of the team leaders came across as rather abrupt and rude sometimes. They would often give me dirty looks and would whisper about me in front of people - which made me really uncomfortable at times. There is no need to whisper about me when I am right there unless you are speaking negatively about me. Even on one of the first days, the said team leader was speaking to another member of staff from a different location and snidely and sarcastically laughed at the travel I would have to do for another meeting. "Only 20 minute walk." "Yeah, just 20 minutes." When they knew that wasn't the case - it was going to be longer by over 10 minutes. It made me feel a bit bullied as they laughed at my expense knowing that was the way I would be commuting, I even had one of the door swipes thrown at me instead of just giving it to me as they sat next to me. This was in front of the line manager who might not have seen as I was behind several screens. However, it seemed like the minute it was made aware that my notice had been handed in, some people (especially TL) seemed to be dry, abrupt and not not very supportive. It was like the moment you are leaving, they office team just don't care. Spent many days within the office not speaking much as I was often left out of conversations. For example, due to the constant whispering.

3
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