IRC Is the Most Toxic Work Environment That I’ve Ever Worked In
(IRC Staff Experience)
IRC (International Rescue Committee) is the most toxic work environment that I’ve ever worked in, and I’ve worked for some of the major INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations).
As a culture, IRC values those who are willing to play the games and match the toxicity of the senior leadership. White and POC (People of Color) colleagues that play the same nepotistic, backstabbing, and toxic games progress. We value consultation, but genuine kind coordination is the exception not the rule. The ants are in separate silos, no natural ways of working together. With many mandates (like, oh, GE (Gender Equality)) not having a defined mandate there is an extraordinary amount of territorial fighting. Having power and being friends with the most senior leadership (in particular Madlin Sadler) is the goal if you’re going to stick around at HQ (Headquarters). That or be utterly miserable.
The fact that Ricardo Castro was not put on leave or suspended after the complaints were filed MONTHS AGO is yet another piece of proof that the powerful at IRC are exempt from the rules. If someone in RAI (Resettlement, Asylum and Integration) or CRRD (Crisis Response, Recovery and Development) acted the way he did they’d have been put on leave or suspended.
The amount of open ridicule of staff is shocking. I’ve sat in recorded calls where staff are nearly in tears while colleagues speak to one another with such hostility that it’s hard to breathe. I’ve watched recordings of calls where Madlin Sadler YELLED at senior staff; one of those staff member’s roles were unexpectedly made redundant shortly afterwards. After the staff had departed the IRC, suddenly the role was open again and we were recruiting someone to fill it. This was in HQ.
Critique of how leadership makes decisions is a death sentence at IRC. David Milliband (sic) demands utter loyalty, and the cult of personality is actually quite frightening. When David Milliband (sic) is critiqued, he lashes out and throws temper tantrums. It’s like working for a toddler.
I was openly bullied by a senior member of staff, which was widely known and reported without any action being taken. It got to the point where I was feeling suicidal. When this was reported to HR (Human Resources), their response was to demand what I wanted them to do about it. Take action maybe? Investigate? Support staff who are being harmed? It’s not that hard to be a decent person, yet far too many IRC staff find it difficult.
IRC is trying to rebrand itself as being anti-racist, a shocking turn of events that came about ONLY after this twitter account was created. Quite the coincidence.
I’ve heard young female POCs speak about being humiliated in meetings. Never being called upon to provide their opinions, and being ignored when they are able to make suggestions. Shockingly, not a problem for young white women.
David Milliband (sic) and Madlin Sadler should be resigning immediately. Without this change, there is little chance for any improvement in the organization culture. They’re not qualified to hold these roles. They know nothing about being a vulnerable client, nothing about the realities of delivering aid. They’re destroying the IRC.
Despite the fact that staff have openly and reverently objected to rebranding IRC as ‘Rescue’, we’ve recently been informed that it’s still being discussed. Even after being directly told by hundreds of POCs that it’s the clearest statement of white saviorism they are convinced it’s okay. They are right, so everyone else must be wrong.
