Reconstructing Judaism Reviews

Lack of transparency from the top to the bottom

* Red flags in the interview process: Position was poorly defined, and no sense of humor shown by interviewers. In addition, once I accepted the offer there was big pressure for me to start immediately. I never got an explanation as to why. * There was no onboarding process. Basic tools like the time keeping system were never explained (so I was reprimanded later for making errors). There was no checklist, no benchmarks and no one in charge. An employee handbook is still in process of being reviewed. A tour of the building was done in record time and then I was dumped in an office and left on my own. * They were reluctant to do any training. What systems they did show me were prefaced with "We can only show you this once". Follow-up questions were not encouraged. The general feeling given was that I should just "know stuff" without being told or trained. * I completed all the tasks I was given, but there simply wasn't enough to fill 4 hours, let alone 8. Much of it could have been done by a temp. I wondered how seriously they had even discussed this position and what they envisioned an assistant would do, day to day. The tasks I was shown were mainly once-a-month or once-a-year tasks, very little daily work. * One of the Directors had formerly held my position. Yet they offered little guidance and no helpful insights about the organization or individuals. This seemed like a real missed opportunity for effectively bringing a new employee into the organization. * There was little acknowledgement or recognition. Even going out my way delivering papers personally to the President's home barely elicited a "thank you". * The organization is still struggling with Covid. They had gone 100% remote during the pandemic and were struggling to get the staff to return to the office. In my time there, I met maybe 50% of the faculty & staff in person, and then only once in most cases. The two Directors only came into the building once each, although they were supposed to be training me. After a holiday celebration with 50+ attendees, there were 4 reported positive Covid cases. After that, virtually NO ONE came into the building for days on end. Even the receptionist was working remotely! But I was given no information or updates. Nor was it suggested that I might like to work remotely at this time. I honestly felt I had been forgotten. * Communication was poor. I would have no contact with VP and Directors for days at a time, and then it would be emails and the occasional Zoom call (ugh). A telephone call or in-person meeting would have been much more effective. I felt disconnected and ignored. * The VP spoke of their "method of work" but this was never defined or demonstrated. Their management style seemed to consist of mistrust, accusatory emails, pressure to perform any assigned task immediately (as in RIGHT NOW), pointless hysteria over minor calendar conflicts and staying behind a closed office door. I found it impossible to establish a rapport. * The job description emphasized that the job was "fast paced". It wasn't, but since every small issue was elevated to a crisis, it seemed more intense that necessary. * When I DID ask questions, I was given no resources or direction. It was never suggested that I speak with another staff member who could have answered my inquiry or provided direction. There was no teamwork. * In the job description and interviews, they emphasized wanting a candidate "with warmth" for this position. Small wonder, as I found the atmosphere cold, gloomy and tense. A "let's get to know you" coffee or lunch was never suggested. There were no staff meetings and the one team meeting I was invited to was not informative. I felt there was no interest in me as a person. Some lower level staff were friendly, but any attempts at small talk with the VP or Directors was quickly nipped in the bud. No attempt was made to make you feel part of the team. * Although ample PTO is provided, I learned taking it was frowned upon. Taking time off for an appointment I had scheduled before interviewing for the job was regarded as an affront, even though I told them about it on day one and scheduled it for a day when the VP & Director were out-of-town. * I received no criticism and only one comment on my performance. There were no check-ins, no reviews and no feedback. I was blindsided by being summarily fired. The only explanation given was a vague "you are not a good fit". No specifics were offered. The VP did say, grudgingly, that I was "a nice person". Clearly this is not a quality valued at RCC. * I received nothing in writing about my termination besides a COBRA letter from a third party. It was as if I had never worked there.