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The Colburn School

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Dysfunctional Work Environment/Bad Management - Anonymous employee The Colburn School Employee Review

1.0
9 Dec 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

1. Passionate faculty 2. Incredible students. 3. Fantastic facilities. 4. Amazing people within the walls, unfortunately they usually leave. 5. Community School faculty and staff are gems. 6. Dance Academy is led by and filled with incredible people. 7. Conservatory and Music Academy staff are incredible.

Cons

Horrible leadership, both at a macro level and micro level. Started my job, and did not even receive the 'written expectation guideline' until 2 months into it. Was inappropriately spoken to by both my boss and their supervisor within the space of a month from starting the job. (Inappropriate: meaning verging on legal/discrimination and just disrespectful. There is no interest in mentorship or growth of employees. In fact if you ask to learn new skills they typically shut you down due to the fear that you are threatening another person's position. There is no such thing as collaborative work, people are siloed the point where they don't tell people what is going on. People complain constantly about how dysfunctional the work environment is, but if you suggest to change it anyway then you are threatening the status quo. People are typically promoted based on the time spent at the institution rather than merit, or value added.

Explore other reviews about The Colburn School

5.0
27 Jan 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent staff, administrators, dedicated students, stellar facilities.

Cons

Full time faculty not paid in a sustainable fashion.

1.0
10 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good pay, benefits, free parking, & concert tickets

Cons

I had high hopes for this one, but sadly there is a mean girl culture of obfuscation and rigid hierarchy that make it impossible to be yourself at this organization. Most employees are kept on a need to know basis that prevents a productive flow of information for the job to be done well. It has a lot of potential, but the culture overall is pretty tepid and lacking creativity. I was given very unclear expectations from day one and when I tried to self manage/excel at my job I received the cold shoulder from upper management. Outward perception is more important than internal cohesion at Colburn. Buoying the ego of leadership is more valued than being good at your job. After six months I was mentally checked out.

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