Management in IT – A Deeply Damaging Experience
Toxic Management in IT – A Deeply Damaging Experience
I joined CARE International as a 2nd Line Engineer, covering a maternity leave position. I came into the role with hope, especially as I was going through a lot in my personal life at the time — but unfortunately, the experience turned out to be extremely disappointing and emotionally damaging.
While the organisation itself does great work globally, the internal culture within the IT department is broken, primarily due to a deeply problematic management style. The manager (initials VL) was rarely present on-site, but when they were involved — particularly in meetings or 1-to-1s — they stirred tension rather than building a supportive or effective team. There was a noticeable pattern of bullying, passive-aggressive behaviour, and manipulation.
The entire team worked in fear, not cohesion — constantly walking on eggshells just to keep the manager happy. Rather than leading or mentoring, this individual created division, pitted staff against each other, and consistently undermined people’s confidence. I personally felt mocked, unsupported, and judged, with my professionalism and skills continuously questioned for no clear reason.
Worse still, I wasn’t the only one affected. Another team member went on sick leave due to stress and poor treatment — a clear indication of a pattern of toxicity within the department.
Throughout my time there, I carried the emotional burden home with me — during breaks, evenings, weekends, and it spilled into my personal life. After leaving, I was left with emotional trauma and financial strain, with no apology, no support, and no compensation from CARE International.
To be clear, this is a management issue, not a reflection of the wider organisation’s mission or people outside this department. But I strongly urge the CEO and directors to investigate this department and take complaints seriously. Until they do, I would not recommend any future engineers or IT professionals join this team.
Good luck to the company — but meaningful change is urgently needed.
1 star.
3 de julho de 2025
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