A Dysfunctional and Toxic Workplace The good thingsThe school community is full of engaged, supportive families, and the students are bright, resilient, and a joy to work with. Many teachers go above and beyond every day, remaining committed to doing what is best for students, often in very challenging circumstances.
The challengesMy final years at AB were marked by a deeply toxic work culture. Leadership consistently prioritises favouritism over merit, promoting individuals based on compliance and flattery rather than skill or contribution. This has created a demoralising environment where professionalism and hard work goes largely unnoticed, while those in leadership’s inner circle advance regardless of performance.
There is also a pattern of targeted behaviour toward certain staff, with management undermining, isolating, or micromanaging individuals in ways that leaves many feeling insecure and undervalued. Staff retreat into their faculties and operate in survival mode, severely limiting any sense of community. As a result, many talented and dedicated employees continue to leave, further fuelling a cycle of dysfunction and disengagement.
If you’re looking for a workplace that values integrity, where leadership fosters trust and growth and recognises genuine contributions, I recommend looking elsewhere.