Abysmal place to work - Anonymous employee GDST Employee Review

1.0
19 Sept 2019
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The coffee machine is quite good.

Cons

I would avoid working at the GDST at all costs. There is an incredibly unpleasant working environment in the Trust Office, with mistrust, bullying and a culture of fear. Senior leadership will speak outwardly about making girls “fearless” and that “nothing will hold a girl back” and then they will openly express racist, sexist and generally outdated attitudes and opinions. You are discouraged from having an opinion and those that do are alienated and picked on by senior management. Feminism in any form is dismissed as “man-hating”. The chasm between the external impression the GDST wants to portray and what is happening in the schools and trust office is vast. If you choose to work here, at the very best, your life will be frustrating and unfulfilling. At worse, you will (like many of the other people who work there) by signed off for stress, have a nervous breakdown or be bullied out by management. Horrible, nasty place to work. Avoid!

Explore other reviews about GDST

3.0
23 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Varied role across multiple schools

Cons

Unmanageable workload across multiple schools

1.0
9 Jun 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nice location and the office is nice.

Cons

During my time at this organisation, I observed a significant lack of diversity and an insular, cliquish team culture. There was also an excessive level of micromanagement which seemed to only be directed to me. After raising legitimate concerns about the behaviour of a particular line manager, I was effectively marginalised and unsupported, seniority was prioritised over fairness or objectivity. I experienced clear differential treatment compared to other colleagues, which contributed to considerable anxiety. Based on this experience, I would not recommend this workplace, particularly to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.

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