This review is specifically for Stanford Dining (Stanford R&DE). It's important to remember that all of the departments at Stanford are siloed and depending on where you work, depends on how great or toxic the department. Unfortunately this is one of the very toxic ones.
Where to even begin with this department? It is extremely toxic and cultish due to the leadership team - which mostly consists of narcissistic and self-absorbed individuals who think they are God's little gift to the world.
Their whole slogan is "promoting a culture of excellence," which is just code language for working long hours and burning out. They are constantly short staffed and will make people cover job responsibilities that have absolutely nothing to do with their intended role. When I was an employee here I spent most of my time having to work on weekends, despite being salaried. I once expressed my concerns to my supervisor, who's only response was that "it was not a good look to say how busy you are," and that everyone is expected to fulfil their duties and do more.
Turn over is high and whenever someone leaves, they rarely fill the role. Instead they just delegate the responsibilities from that old role to current employees. So the people who stay here just become burdened with more work overtime, but with no change in their salary.
Also, you will be alienated if you do not subscribe to all of the cultish antics that goes on at meetings and elsewhere. For example, there is a weekly staff meeting conducted over zoom where the current Executive Director gets reigned in with "thank yous" for literally no reason at all. Every single person begins their update with "Thank you (Name of Executive Director) for your leadership." I swear, if you don't kiss the Executive Director's behind, they will make note of it and you will suddenly get alienated and treated with scorn and disdain. Which is exactly what happened to me, since I wouldn't drink the Kool-Aid. I quit without even giving a 2-weeks notice because I needed to get out of there for the sake of my mental health.
I would rather jump off the highest cliff from the Grand Canyon, rather then returning to work here.
