Niche organisation that cares about employees and clients alike - Anonymous employee Hibiscus Initiatives Employee Review

Very lovely work environment with co-workers who are very passionate about the work

As with some nonprofit work, some things can get slow or unorganized along the way.

Committed and passionate frontline colleagues who do all they can (to the point of burnout) to support and advocate for women as best as they can.

CEO has systematically dismantled the organisation through poor leadership since October 2023 - toxic and unsupportive work environment forced numerous colleagues to leave. The incredibly high number of staff departures since the appointment of the current CEO is indicative of the current situation. Frontline services have been decimated, and the whole purpose of the organisation (supporting black and minoritised migrant women in contact with the criminal justice and/or immigration systems) is eroding to meet CEO's policy agenda. CEO is incredibly disconnected from frontline work and the women Hibiscus supports; decisions are undertaken without thought on how they will impact the women Hibiscus is supporting. The frontline service on offer now is a shell of what was present just a few years ago, which has had a massive effect on women who relied on the service for their well-being. Staff opinion on decisions is sought by CEO/SLT then disregarded. The board seems oblivious to the state of the organisation and has not made any visible intervention or audibly questioned what is happening at all. I joined Hibiscus with high hopes for what the organisation was/could be, and now am feeling beyond glad that I am gone and no longer involved - while feeling deeply sad for the individuals that rely on support from Hibiscus and the colleagues that remain there trying to fight for them.