Administrative Office - Toxic Workplace - Anonymous YWCA Employee Review

1.0
Jul 9, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The mission is important and significant. The safe house and multitude of services offered are critical and necessary for people facing/escaping domestic violence in our community.

Cons

This review is primarily focused on the administrative office. The YWCA Sonoma County administrative office environment was COMPLETELY contradictory to the mission: "eliminating racism, empowering women". The senior/upper-level admin staff, ESPECIALLY the local CEO (Madeleine Keegan O’Connell), were completely dis-empowering, catty, and acted like a clique of mean girls in middle school. In short, it was a mentally abusive setting, which is unacceptable at any workplace, but even more so when the focus of the work was to support people escaping domestic violence and empower women. Staff members who were not accepted as part of the ‘clique’ could overhear the rude, degrading comments made about other staff members working in the office, as well as those working in other departments of the organization. Also, diversity of the staff was completely lacking.

Explore other reviews about YWCA

5.0
Jul 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great staff to work with and the students were a joy to be around.

Cons

Salary was too low for the position and expectations.

1.0
Jul 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Co workers were great and very respectful.

Cons

This organization's treatment of its staff did not reflect the values of the mission it promotes. During my time there, I experienced a management style that felt overly controlling and dehumanizing. Staff were frequently micromanaged to the point where even casual conversations with coworkers were discouraged. We were restricted in where we could go within the building,often received the silent treatment from management, and witnessed unprofessional gossip. The high turnover rate speaks for itself. In my experience, it was driven by ongoing staff mistreatment, ineffective leadership, and a culture where authority seemed to take priority over supporting employees. Although my experience was disappointing and often demoralizing, I did leave with valuable skills, meaningful friendships, and greater confidence in standing up for myself. I am grateful the organization gave me the opportunity to work there, but I sincerely hope its leadership takes time to reflect on how they treat employees who consistently go above and beyond their job responsibilities. An organization's mission should be reflected not only in the people it serves but also in the way it treats its own staff.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All