Exceptionally Difficult Working Environment - Anonymous employee United Way Employee Review

2.0
Dec 5, 2022
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Perhaps the biggest pro of working at United Way are the benefits, particularly their insurance coverage benefits; the costs are covered in full by the organization. Their 403 (b) plan and vacation pay are about average compared to other firms in the region. There are remote work options. Most time is spent in office, however, remote work is available if needed. The organization is flexible. The employees are exceptionally nice. Very respectful, well-intentioned, and commendable people.

Cons

The biggest con of working at United Way is meeting demand of stakeholders and management with less than ideal tools. The organization seems underequipped at times with the expectations of the organization unabated. The organization experiences a high degree of turnover; be prepared to fill in for another position. Management does not communicate the breadth of the job during the hiring process. Over my employment, approximately 5% of my time was doing my hired job role. The other 95% was spent filling in for another employee and various other tasks that required a high degree of involvement. Many of which are consistent year to year according to other employees and are not mentioned during the hiring process. While the expectations of me as a person and professional are clear, the expectations of how to accomplish a given task are exceptionally unclear. This arises due to lack of skills, minimal training, and inadequate instruction. Management attempts to train and guide employees quite literally through a spreadsheet called a work plan. To highlight this lack of clarity, I once asked a fairly intricate question, and rather than answer the question, the response was to "read the workplan." Management seemingly wants to absolve themselves of instructing their inferiors, to their own detriment at times. Expectations suddenly become clear when the result was not exactly what they wanted.

Explore other reviews about United Way

5.0
Apr 10, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

People were very nice and cooperative

Cons

Not any that I would speak of

2.0
Jun 18, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The mission is meaningful and the work itself can be deeply rewarding. Colleagues are talented, dedicated, and genuinely care about the community they serve. For the right person, that camaraderie carries a lot of weight.

Cons

Over the past two years, this organization has undergone significant and painful change. A revolving door of senior leadership, including the abrupt loss of key executives, created instability that trickled down to every level of staff. Layoffs followed, and then a steady stream of voluntary departures that leadership appeared either unable or unwilling to address meaningfully. Under new leadership, nearly every quality-of-life benefit that made nonprofit-level salaries feel worth it has been reduced or eliminated: fewer sick days, increased healthcare costs, loss of Summer Fridays, loss of Thanksgiving week, and a shift to more required in-office days. The cumulative effect is an organization that asks a great deal of its staff, in salary sacrifice and mission commitment, while systematically withdrawing what made that trade-off feel fair.

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