Good work culture, questionable goals
Pros
> People are nice. Positivity-centered work culture (but see related con below) > Good culture of integrating a globally-diverse workforce. You are usually working with people from different countries, and B Lab is usually flexible and understanding when needing to adjust to accommodate the differences that come with that. > Mostly understandable and flexible when you have > Most people in the org are strongly purpose-driven and very nice to work with. > Good low level managers > Good benefits, considering the American context, including the flexibility to work from home or from the office.
Cons
OVERALL ORGANIZATION STRATEGY > The org's mission is purpose-centered, but in practice they apply many of the pervasive business practices that they claim to be changing in the business world. Prettier marketing than actual practice. Things like downsizing their US-based workforce and outsourcing it with cheaper Asian-based workforce, while framing it internally and externally as a decision to promote economic empowerment in developing countries. > The certification, which is at the core of the mission, has been relaxed over the years to accommodate the volume of companies wanting to certify and (in my perspective the most dangerous trend) the needs of large multinationals that wouldn't certify with a more rigorous certification process. IMO, they have shown to be too corporate-friendly to actually make a significant impact in the current capitalist system. More often than not, decision is taken based on "what works for the company while not presenting and existential threat to B Lab"; instead of what is in the best interest of society. I wouldn't be so bothered by this if their marketing was true to the reality, but they have definitely much more talk than impact; which was difficult for me to overlook. > Real and serious concerns that are raised by whistleblowers of certified companies seem to just be brushed aside. It seems the certification process is set up to not get B Lab involved in decisions about company wrong-doing. WORK > Not much accountability in the org, especially at higher levels. Common to see higher-tier managers and directors not performing at their roles and still being promoted. > Higher-level people often receive benefits and exceptions that go against current org policies and that are not allowed to lower-level workers (a bit of discrepancy in how org policies are applied) > The ever-positive work culture can become sometimes overoptimistic and in denial of real issues (problem-raising and discussion can be discouraged). > Diversity is lacking in the top tiers, especially at the director/board level, especially related to global diversity for an org with such a global outreach. > Employees are underpaid. Pay is based on the lower-end of the non-profit sector. Often workers are highly educated and experienced people that come to the organization because of the purpose; which doesn't mean they shouldn't be provided with a wage that is commensurate with their skills.
