Your mental health and wellbeing is more important than accepting a position at Unlocked! - Recensione dipendente - Dipendente anonimo presso Unlocked

An incredible charity making a real difference with a super-smart way of working within the system.

Criminal justice is a tough sector so you have to be ready for that.

Some people at the company are very passionate and incredible at that work

My experience at Unlocked was defined by an extremely toxic leadership culture, driven from the very top. The CEO’s management style is, in my experience, the most unpleasant and destructive I have encountered in my career. The approach is intensely top-down, relentlessly micromanaging, and often delivered in a passive-aggressive manner that creates constant tension and instability. Working under this leadership does not feel empowering — it feels suffocating. The company frequently speaks about “radical candor,” yet that principle does not appear to apply upward. Honest feedback toward senior leadership is neither welcomed nor safe. Instead, a culture of pandering and performative agreement dominates. This is particularly prevalent between even senior leadership to the CEO. It is constant eggshells when interacting with her. The disconnect between stated values and lived reality is stark. Junior staff work exceptionally hard and carry the organisation. However, senior leadership feels fundamentally out of touch — both operationally and culturally. There is a persistent sense that decisions are made without a grounded understanding of execution realities, yet dissenting views are not meaningfully entertained. I cannot overstate how damaging this environment felt. What could be a mission-driven and impactful organisation is undermined by leadership behaviours that erode morale, trust, and psychological safety. Prospective employees should understand clearly: if you value autonomy, respectful communication, and leadership accountability, this may not be the right environment for you.