Believe the 28% CEO Approval - It’s Worse Inside Than It Looks - Anonymous employee Year Up United Employee Review

1.0
Jul 15, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pros: - Great mission in theory - Some genuinely kind coworkers trying to hold it all together - Benefits are decent for a nonprofit, but even that can’t mask the dysfunction

Cons

Where do I begin? - Toxic culture buried under “niceness” Performative empathy, endless gaslighting, and absolutely no accountability at the leadership level. - CEO approval rating is 28%. That alone should tell you everything. - HR chaos - Constant policy confusion, conflicting directions, and impossible workloads. You’re expected to operate as legal counsel, therapist, and admin all in one, without recognition or support. - Zero transparency - Decisions are made in silos and communicated poorly, often after the damage is done. - Favoritism runs deep - Promotions and visibility go to those who play the game, not those who do the work. - Overwork is baked into the culture - You’re applauded for sacrificing your mental health, then punished when you hit a wall. - Vendor transition disasters - Processes were broken, employees were left in limbo, and the burden was dumped on frontline staff without tools or clear direction. - Gaslighting around workload and expectations When you advocate for capacity or clarity, you’re ignored or labeled “negative.”

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Year Up United Response
11mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We value all feedback and encourage you to discuss your experiences with us further, as we would like to understand ways to better support staff and the entire Year Up United community as we move forward. If you email us at feedback@yearupunited.org, we’ll be in touch to find time to connect.

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5.0
May 31, 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

Flexibility, team culture, colleague dedication, meaningful work

Cons

Sudden benefit elimination (professional development funds, sabbatical, student loan support, etc.), sudden change in hybrid-work policy,

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5.0
Jan 21, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Competitive compensation - Excellent organizational leadership, passion, and culture - Programs really make a difference in the students' lives

Cons

Any new site comes with some growing pains and so we are still figuring some things out as we go. Could use a little more direction or "best practices" from other sites or leadership. But again, these things come with any new sites!

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