poor training, poor suport, bullyed by volunteers - Shop Manager Oxfam Employee Review

2.0
Feb 28, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good work they do both in UK and abroad.

Cons

Bullying by volunteers is common, no support from the area managers to deal with this. I've been in meetings where managers are crying because the volunteers are nasty. Overworked - always expect volunteering hours on top of paid hours. Unrealistic expectations of volunteers - demanding. Unrealistic vision for shops - they are charity shops not boutiques! All about the ££ don't care about the people. Rubbish pay for managers for the work they do. The buy a goat, buy a chicken thing is misleading; the money goes into the general Oxfam pot to be spent where they think it's needed - read the small print on the back of these.

Explore other reviews about Oxfam

5.0
Feb 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people and culture in the space.

Cons

Not as many people in the office.

2.0
Jan 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

working with people who really care about the work and the mission; mostly remote work

Cons

Oxfam America's senior leadership team has presided over three consecutive years of layoffs with little evidence of accountability or learning at the executive level. Despite repeated rhetoric about fairness and equity, leadership decisions consistently undermine those stated values. New initiatives are rolled out frequently, only to be quietly dropped, creating instability, confusion, and deep skepticism among staff. Directors are routinely excluded from key strategic discussions, yet are expected to deliver decisions to their teams with no meaningful context, rationale, or ability to answer questions. The CEO appears insulated from the day to day realities of the organization, reinforcing a growing disconnect between leadership and staff. As a result, employees are chronically overworked, morale continues to erode, and trust in senior leadership has been significantly damaged by unmet commitments and constantly shifting priorities.

2
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