Started optimistic but disappointed within three months. Feel mislead about the role. - Shop Manager Oxfam Employee Review

2.0
Nov 24, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Worthwhile cause, meet new people, interesting and varied work, no two days the same, helpful area management. Regular management meetings.

Cons

Unrealistic expectations for part time managers- full time job part time pay. No real authority as Oxfam proposes that volunteers run the shop, yet tel managers to be entrepreneurs, and to treat the shop as your own: direct conflict with volunteers. No support for the managers when dealing with problem volunteers. Too much unnecessary admin. Appalling waste of money via shops. Appalling lack of training. Managerslayed off against each other. Too pushy re sales targets etc. - relentless and unreasonable expectations when you're dealing with donated stock!

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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.

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