Run the other way - This place is a BLACK HOLE MM - Credit Analyst Columbia Grain Employee Review

1.0
May 27, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are talented, employees scattered throughout the company who genuinely try to make things better. Unfortunately, efforts are constantly undermined by leadership and the toxic culture they've allowed to flourish.

Cons

The environment at CGI is more often shaped by dysfunction instead of direction. Toxic Leadership: Leadership issues are systemic, but one figure stood out during my time there: a senior HR leader who's management style is widely viewed as reactive, hostile, and intimidating. Across various departments, employees have experienced or witnessed aggressive interactions and a general atmosphere of fear and intimidation when engaging with certain people within HR. It's telling when the HR department becomes a source of anxiety instead of support. Concerns have also circulated around how certain groups have been treated, which raises questions about oversight and accountability. The Boys Club: This isn't happening in a vacuum. Individuals like the previously mentioned HR leader are insulated by a circle of officers that prioritize loyalty over professional standards and leadership changes often feel like power plays rather than solutions, and the result is confusion, burnout, and mistrust across departments. Favoritism Over Functionality: If you're not a merchant or part of the executive orbit, your contributions are often undervalued. Advancement is less about skill or impact and more about maintaining the right relationships. IT Dysfunction: Even basic technical issues required multiple follow-ups and unnecessary workarounds, the department lacks strong leadership as well as urgency and structure, and it made routine tasks harder than they needed to be at times. Turnover and Morale: Turnover is through the roof and morale is visibly low throughout the organization. Some new hires have left within weeks of starting. Longtime employees, especially those in the country are disengaged. This hasn't been an isolated issue, it's a constant pattern that leadership continues to ignore. Bottom Line: Don't be surprised if more reviews like this one start showing up more frequently. From the looks of it, people are getting fed up and done staying quiet.

Explore other reviews about Columbia Grain

5.0
Nov 1, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I recently retired from Columbia Grain after more than 23 years working there as an IT systems administrator. The company has grown over the years, afforded me many opportunities to grow with them in IT. You are well appreciated by all for hard work, colleagues are friendly, management open to your ideas, The Portland office is professional and conveniently located in the city. I highly recommend a visit to the Portland office to see for yourself; self-motivated and talented individuals always welcome!

Cons

I don't have any cons to mention

1
1.0
Apr 25, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I must enter five words.

Cons

In my forty-something years of life, I’ve never seen a more disfunctional organization. From blatant sexism and misogyny, to racism, deep-seated mental health issues, and just plain apathy regarding anything progressive, the cultish upper management group at this place is record setting. The CEO regularly sends slanted political commentary out to all employees, sees nothing wrong with his executive staff verbally abusing employees, and embraces the absolute void of direction to improve. I guarantee that he and his HR team are reading this with the sole concern of figuring out who wrote it, vs trying to see what everyone has been telling them and doing anything to correct their monumental issues. I would expect some action from their parent company, Marubeni, any time now. Poor pay, no opportunities for advancement (not that any normal person would be interested once they figure out what’s going on here), and it’s made very clear that they don’t care about their employees in general. Just check out their turnover rate; it’s record breaking. Bottom line - if you value respect in the workplace, work-life balance, or the ability to trust your HR department and executive staff to make any beneficial decision — or any decision at all — keep looking. If you’re a sexist narcissistic, you’ll be right at home at Columbia Grain.

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