Good experience - Volunteer Oxfam Employee Review

4.0
13 Dec 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I was a volunteer in the bookshop. I gained a lot of retail experience and got my confidence back. There was a laid back atmosphere. The other volunteers were very nice and so was the manager. There was only one person I didn't get on with. We had good chats about the world while sorting the books. Free coffee and biscuits.

Cons

No pay. Some volunteers are lazy and happy to let you do all the work. Messy and squashed back room.

Explore other reviews about Oxfam

5.0
26 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great people and culture in the space.

Cons

Not as many people in the office.

2.0
24 Jan 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.

2
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