SEO reviews

Where should I start? The first thing I would say is seriously evaluate accepting an offer from this place. If you have any other options, take something else. You will be overworked, and be expected to do the workload of 3+ people. Given the noble mission of the organization, I was initially willing to take on the heavy workload, but it became impossible to do so in such a toxic work environment. You will be micromanaged and your work will be picked apart and your every suggestion or pushback will be questioned and scrutinized. Management is always right and employees are expected to be robots executing orders without questioning or pushback. Employee moral is very low, and employee turnover is very high. Senior management has no concern for the physical, mental and emotional well-being of employees. Employees are pushed out/demoted or let go for political reasons, and the remaining employees all know they cannot go to HR to report the terrible/toxic working conditions. Employees are constantly living in fear of being fired. Managers threaten employees about going to HR or make claims about how it won’t “help.” Employees do not report misconduct and everything that happens here because they are afraid of retaliation. Employees are encouraged to overlook harassment, discriminating comments, actions and jokes. The strong performers who have other options for employment don’t stick around this place. In the years that I worked there (not many) I saw entire teams (strong performers) leave the organization, and then the new hires also leave because of how terrible management and working conditions are. You will be expected to create and revamp programs under unrealistic timelines and without the propoper support or resources. Do yourself a favor, don’t accept a job offer here. ZERO opportunities for professional development. You will be guilted into not taking vacation, or made to feel like a slacker if you do take vacation or don’t work crazy long hours.

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) is not a place you would want even your worst enemy to work. The main issue is the extreme lack of professionalism (and even lack of human decency) of the senior managers: -The managers at SEO heap on verbal and mental abuse to their direct reports, bullying them unnecessarily, and feel uplifted in their work only when they are bringing someone else down. -Managers will single out and treat employees unfairly, using the silent treatment, creating a hostile work environment, and isolating you from your colleagues. One manager even goes around and bad talks to as many people who will listen. -Managers have been given constructive feedback by peers and direct reports but still no action has been taken. SEO will try to restructure departments and will hire an executive coach to work with the managers but nonetheless, the underlining issues continue to persist and compound. Rather than terminating bad managers, SEO will create a “paper trail” to push out direct reports who complain. When employees talk about lack of morale, SEO tries to make it better with $100 gift cards. Human Resources is aware of the toxic work environment and lack of work-life balance, but they are completely ineffective. Working at SEO has made me question my life choices and negatively impacted my ability to work and mental health while working there. Employees are constantly being belittled; they are riddled with anxiety and filled with depression. SEO prides itself on inclusivity and diversity; however, the office is just the contrary. The students add joy to the working day though even they are undervalued and exploited: SEO Scholars rarely are selected to participate in the exclusive law and career programs. Before accepting a position at SEO (or even interviewing at SEO), beware.