Pluspunten
Generous PTO, great CEO, mission.
Minpunten
I accepted a role in fundraising at Keystone Human Services expecting to work in a mission-driven, supportive environment. What I experienced instead was a workplace defined by fear, inconsistency, and emotional exhaustion.
From the start, the role was nothing like what was described in the interview. Responsibilities changed drastically week to week, with shifting priorities and unclear expectations. Feedback from my supervisor was inconsistent—praise one day, criticism the next—with no transparency about how performance was measured. It felt like the ground was always moving beneath my feet.
There was no psychological safety. Conversations often included veiled threats and manipulative tactics. During one particularly high-pressure period, I agreed to keep working while on vacation to meet an arbitrary deadline. In response, I was told IT would be tracking my keystrokes to ensure I was working. That was the moment I realized just how toxic things had become.
Leadership frequently skipped meetings without notice, ignored messages for days, and failed to follow through on basic responsibilities. When I made the decision to leave, I was told not to inform anyone. My departure was never announced. On my final day, I received a one-line goodbye call well after the workday had ended.
While some employees may stay because of the flexible policies, it’s important to understand the tradeoff: a lack of trust, clear communication, and basic respect.
If you’re considering a position in the development department, go in with your eyes wide open. Don’t be swayed by the kindness and excitement in the interview process—what happens after you sign the offer may very different.