‘Revenge quitting’ social workers shaming employers on jobs website
Social workers are 'revenge quitting' their jobs by posting negative reviews about local authorities and their former managers online.
Comments left at jobs site Glassdoor highlight allegations of racism, bullying, sexual harassment and practices causing damage to children under local authority care.
Disgruntled employees are increasingly turning to social media or job websites to leave negative reviews in the latest trend inspired by an American hotel worker who took a marching band with him when he quit his job.
Glassdoor offers information on job opportunities, along with salary details and reviews of companies – often left anonymously by those with an axe to grind.
A survey of local authority reviews on Glassdoor by PSW reveals a multitude of social workers have revenge quit their posts in the past year.
A social worker left a one-star review accusing female managers of racism and sexual harassment of male employees, posting: "Toxic management, bullying culture, racism, and micromanagement.
“Do not work here if you are passionate and want a career in social work. Some female managers sexually harass the male staff and always seem to get away with it. There is real misandry and racism in the office.”
A “toxic work environment” was flagged up by a revenge quitting social worker at another authority, with a review citing “poor management and bullying culture".
A social worker posting a two-star review of a local authority said: "Not great pay, management not great. Lot of staff leaving."
A social worker who left their position at a London council highlighted “chronic favouritism by some managers”, adding bullying is “normalised by some managers and senior staff” with “minimal/zero concern for staff wellbeing".
The reviewer urged management to give staff manageable timescales and to work on staff retention “rather than expecting staff to be grateful to have a job”.
A worker who quit in February this year praised 'brilliant' colleagues but added: "High turnover, bullying senior management, personally experienced racism from an IRO, high caseloads, majority managers who have no clue… Work/life balance is non-existent."
A survey of 2,000 British employees by recruitment firm Reed found 15 per cent of workers had revenge quit their job by abruptly resigning without notice, sabotaging files, or leaving tasks unfinished.
More than a third of those surveyed blamed bad management, 27 per cent left because of 'company culture', and a quarter (26 per cent) cited low salary as their reason for moving on.
Social workers who have not yet quit are also posting reviews on Glassdoor to warn off prospective new recruits.
One social worker posting a three-star review warned: "Bullying is RIFE by some managers which is rewarded by senior management not addressing concerns/complaints made by staff. This has resulted in bullying being normalised."
A colleague at the same council said: "Senior management do not care about the wellbeing of their social workers."
Another social worker at a different authority warned of management that is “almost cultish” and “very cliquey”, adding: “New starts will find it hard. SMT is shocking."
Elsewhere, another social worker called out: "Lazy managers. Poor inexperienced management. Unmanageable caseload. Lack of legal advice. Lack of quality supervision. Less pay than neighbouring authorities.”
Lisa Fitzpatrick, trade union official and a BASW advice and representation (A&R) officer, urged social workers to think twice before revenge quitting. She said: “Social work can be a small world, so it’s best to be careful what you write on social media or job sites because it can come back full circle in a negative way.
“Losing your job or being at risk of this can be an incredibly emotional and stressful time, with lifechanging consequences, but your reputation is part of being a social worker.
“Our advice would be not to say something publicly that you may come to regret later or that could be used against you, especially if your words impact on the reputation of that employer.
"You never know when you may have contact with them again.”
Fitzpatrick said BASW members with job worries or in need of support should contact the A&R service.