A company in crisis. - Living History Interpreter Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Employee Review

Supportive environment, numerous legacy employees with 20+ years of experience,

You will stay busy! Not exactly skeleton crews but the teams are lean.

Excellent mission, passionate about education and history. The vast majority of people at the Foundation are kind, friendly, creative, and hardworking. They take pride in what they do and genuinely care about the overall mission.

Lack of communication is an ongoing problem. Poor departmental oversight and leadership, toxic work environment, concerns about burnout and abuse in the workplace, both from guests and from other employees, are not taken seriously or ignored altogether. Mgmt is not open to ideas or contributions from lower-level staff unless it aligns with existing plans and presumptions. Staff talent is not utilized effectively, extra work is expected but rarely recognized or rewarded. Several depts consistently understaffed for several years, work redistributed to remaining staff without increase in compensation or any noticeable movement toward hiring addl personnel despite clear, demonstrable need. Salaries are slow to increase and below average for similar work in other companies, unpaid volunteer hours are requested for special events in addition to regular work. Leadership consistently hires from outside rather than promoting from within and seems more interested in hiring manager and directors than vital ground-level staff. Frequent turnover, with recent departures noting poor compensation that does not match COL for the area, toxic office culture, burnout from overwork, and lack of opportunities for advancement.