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EF (Education First)

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Great Potential but Poorly Managed - Anonymous employee EF (Education First) Employee Review

1.0
21 Dec 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Annual group tour opportunity -Generous PTO compared to industry standards -Previously offered hybrid work options, which were valued by many employees -No previous job experience needed

Cons

-Below-market compensation: Salaries do not meet minimum living standards, particularly for Toronto. -High turnover: Frequent firings and ongoing departures create instability, loss of institutional knowledge, and constant workload redistribution across remaining staff. -Ineffective management and lack of leadership accountability: Management often prioritize task coordination over actual leadership. While administrative duties like approving PTO or running meetings are handled, essential leadership responsibilities like conflict resolution, performance management, and addressing team tension early are consistently avoided. Conflict avoidance is framed as “keeping the peace,” but in practice it creates poor team environments. When managers refuse to intervene, authority is effectively handed to the loudest, most disruptive, or most entitled individuals. This dynamic allows poor behavior to go unchecked and undermines team morale and trust. Passive leadership is not neutral, it shows approval. When managers choose not to act, the team bears the consequences. Over time, this drives out high-performing employees while rewarding those who create the most disruption.

Explore other reviews about EF (Education First)

5.0
27 Feb 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Opportunity for quick advancement - Trainings for new managers - Culture of innovation and entrepreneurship - Global connections; opportunities to travel - Fast-paced work environment - Friendly, supportive teams

Cons

- Low pay (industry) - Burnout / overworked during peak seasons

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EF (Education First) Response
3mo
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear you’ve found opportunities for early career development, leadership training, and global connection during your time at EF. Creating a vibrant culture where colleagues can learn from one another and grow quickly is something we care deeply about. We also appreciate your perspective on compensation and workload during busy seasons. Supporting our colleagues’ limitless potential while helping them make a real impact through their work is important to us, and feedback like yours helps us continue to reflect on how we support our teams.
4.0
2 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You get to choose your tour and recruit the students you want to bring. The paid chaperone ratio is 6:1, so it is very manageable. The tours are great and the local experts are wonderful.

Cons

Company support is variable. There is high turnover and new consultants are very sales motivated and don't always get the nuances of your school or community group. I have had some WONDERFUL concusltants, but they have always been promoted before I get to work with them again.

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