The Y (YMCA) reviews

3.8

70% would recommend to a friend

(21,947 total reviews)

Suzanne McCormick

77% approve of CEO

58% positive business outlook

The Y (YMCA) has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 21,947 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The The Y (YMCA) employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Nonprofit & NGO industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

22K reviews
1.0
May 12, 2021

Corporate Scam

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Giving back to the community. Serving youth to make a positive impact.

Cons

Corporate mess. During the pandemic Executive leaders took large cash bonuses while frontline childcare workers were given a 1% or $0.17/ hour "merit" raise. Assistant supervisors were give 4% "merit" raises and Supervisors were given 5%. I would have taken less if it meant more for my team. Executive level staff and above were given cash. Cash is taxed at a much higher rate than wage increases meaning that when the Y gives cash bonuses their dollar does not go as far to help youth. These executives who received cash bonuses also were on furlough throughout the pandemic. The corporate executives are no where near qualified to make large financial decisions. It is my belief that they prey on weak and less confident employees who will not speak up for what they deserve. They took advantage of part time and full time jobs they knew would be expiring when kids go back to school full time to give themselves the largest cash bonus possible. This is disgusting. I am leaving my job at the Y because the corporate executives are treating the frontline workers like pieces of disposable trash. Did I mention the childcare executives are all WHITE. During the pandemic the YMCA also removed our sick leave and told us if we were unable to work we should use our PTO.

1.0
May 6, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Helping other people improve their own lives through relationship-building work. Bring your heart to this job.

Cons

High turnover (approx. 6 months for most staff). Poor pay, no raises including COLA, department and employee goals not identified, no employee performance appraisals. Shift scheduling on <24 hours notice for minimum wage. Usually understaffed. Wage theft issues: sick pay, lesson prep, fundraising. No coaching into promotions. Branch leadership uses bullying tactics, actively ignores problems brought up from frontline staff, and punishes whistleblowers. [Downtown Seattle YMCA]

2.0
Feb 9, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Free membership/childcare. Great membership community!

Cons

Minimal chances to advance career wise and pay wise. Creativity generally squashed. Doesn’t value fitness department and what they contribute.

Viewing 7 - 9 of 21,947 Reviews

Glassdoor has 23,899 The Y (YMCA) reviews submitted anonymously by The Y (YMCA) employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if The Y (YMCA) is right for you.