A Stepping Stone to Better Opportunity - Support First 5 LA Employee Review

3.0
10 May 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Most people are drawn to F5 because of it's worthwhile mission. Despite the difficulty of working with the politics of LA County politics and an enormously slow bureaucratic system, the mission is what drives staff to collaborate, persist and do great things. When staff moves on to another job, they typically move on to greater things. First 5 LA is a great stepping stone to bigger and better things. Health care is covered 100% Flexible work hours

Cons

For some, this is where talent, promise and ambition comes to die. Some managers are content experts in their field but lack the actual skills to manage people effectively. Staff who have been working here for many years cling to the old way of doing things and as a result they are a huge obstacle to progress and efficiency. Since the org is governed by the LA County Board of Supervisors, politics often interferes with the work and at times it can be discouraging. Lower level positions have almost no opportunity to advance even after years of service and experience. Experience working here can vary from department to department. Some staff is miserable and others are perfectly happy.

Explore other reviews about First 5 LA

5.0
13 Mar 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great team environment, learning atmosphere, cutting work, remote work, work life balance.

Cons

Government agency restrictions on creativity.

1.0
15 Apr 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good pay, good benefits, most of the folks working there are truly trying to make an impact and improve conditions in LA County

Cons

The toxic work environment is deeply ingrained in the organization’s culture. High-performing, dedicated employees rarely stay long. Since becoming a supervisor roughly 8 years ago, my manager has consistently failed to retain talent. While she is capable of hiring strong candidates, most leave within a few months—driven away by her toxic behavior. Over the past 3 years, I’ve watched the team turnover completely: when I joined, there were 7 team members. She hired 2 more during my time there, and now only 1 remains. At least 9 people have left the team, most for the same reasons I did.

3
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All