Extremely Toxic Work Environment - Controller A Step Up Academy Employee Review

• Pay is very fair for a Private School. (Let's be real education is an underpaid field) • The kids are challenging but rewarding • Most of the staff cares so much. • There are supportive administrators.

• Dealing with behaviors can be tricky • Low Paid Time off allotment as with most education jobs.

tuition reimbursement, generous pto for admin levels, paid holidays

Lack of transparency and inconsistent communication from leadership. HR is not consistently included in key decisions, yet is expected to manage the impact of those decisions. Policies and expectations are applied inconsistently across departments and individuals. Limited accountability for leadership behavior, which contributes to a culture where employees may feel unsafe speaking up. High emotional labor without adequate structural or managerial support. A reactive rather than proactive approach to employee relations and compliance. While the organization states it values equity and respect, follow-through is inconsistent. Compensation practices lack transparency, and there are perceived inequities in pay and treatment that undermine trust. DEI efforts feel narrow in scope, with some employees experiencing exclusion rather than inclusion. Responses to employee concerns appear inconsistent, creating the perception that outcomes depend on relationships or identity rather than policy. Reports of inappropriate or offensive language have not always been addressed in a timely or meaningful way. Overall, there is a perception of systemic bias and a lack of openness that makes it difficult for employees to feel safe, valued, or heard.