British Council reviews

Higher Management lives in a cocoon of privilege and as a result are arrogant, dismissive and careless. They are also completely lacking in self-awareness. Cult-like. Annual Performance is generally judged based on other's perceptions of you and what you do, not the work you actually do. This means that your hours of toil on a project mean nothing if someone in a 'higher' role than you reports something negative about you; doesn't matter if it is true or not. The organization does not practice the values they claim to preach: BC preaches diversity and inclusion but 90% of the higher management is white, male and British. Preach about the importance of mental health/work-life balance, but managers will expect 50-60 hour workweeks to prove your commitment. Finally and by far the most frustrating; the lack of any serious accountability. Finger pointing and blame is commonplace. Serious mistakes never come with consequences for the person that made them; was personally told on multiple occasions that "the British Council" was accountable for clerical/accounting/financial/scheduling errors. Everyone is accountable so no one ended up being accountable.

The London office, and my team, is uninspiring. I feel very far removed from the actual important work the British Council does around the world. Processes are slow and bureaucratic, there's little innovation, and it seems like it's just a core group of people who get to be involved in any of the more exciting, international opportunities. There is no career progression, there have been no pay increases in the more than two years I've been there, and I don't feel like I'm contributing to a greater cause.