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British Council

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British Council reviews

3.7

65% would recommend to a friend

(2,308 total reviews)
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Ciarán Devane

62% approve of CEO

46% positive business outlook

British Council has an employee rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars, based on 2,308 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The British Council employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Gemeinnützige Organisationen & NGOs industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

2K reviews
3.0
Oct 20, 2023

good

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good hours of work and holidays

Cons

there was poor organisation and leadership

2.0
Aug 28, 2023

Mixed bag

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good international network, pleasant coworkers

Cons

No meaningful career development for most, increasing focus on "agility", "efficiency", "innovation" with no understanding of any of these or their application. Same faces revolving at the top, less to inspire as the years pass. No awareness or following of procedure when problems arise.

3.0
Aug 24, 2023

Real Pros vs Cons

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

In terms of salary one can only earn more in Thailand at an International school. However, the school owns your every waking hour from the moment you finger scan at entry at about 07.40 to 15.30 minimum departure. The British Council does not insist any staff member remains on the premises once your alloted teaching hours 18 to 21 are expended. At times one can be swimming and sunbathing by midday. This kind of schedule does allow employees to explore other work and/or pursuits outside of regular teaching hours. In terms of professionalism and staff characteristics the BC is far superior to other TEFL outfits. Staff can join a pension scheme and a Provident fund in which the company matches your contributions. Healthcare is excellent.

Cons

The biggest problem with the BC is the managment. 35% or so of the BC funding comes from the British taxpayer and yet there are no checks and balances and the managers above a certain level are similar to the middle class managers one would find at the BBC or British Rail and other quangos. In short, utterly inept and with a serious inability to relate to staff or listen to ideas. 90% of managers anywhere are very bad but the BC is like a magnet to middle class dufers and their working class middle managment enablers, some of whom would really enjoy wearing a uniform that resembled the Third Reich outfits. Most managers could not find a job in the education systems of Europe or at best they may become teaching assistants. They have no idea how to deal with people fairly, promote the business or respond to clients needs. They simply do not care for the most part choosing to work from home in many cases or simply being absent or shifting responsibility in others. Senior managers lie constantly while presenting a fair face and encouraging transparency. Wefare and Equality is a baton to assail staff with pretty constantly via the dedicated online platforms employed by teh company but when challenged to actually respond to mental health, safeguarding or general health needs they simply do not want to know and certainly do not want to support. You are on your own Jack. I could go on . . .

Viewing 169 - 171 of 2,308 Reviews

Glassdoor has 3,225 British Council reviews submitted anonymously by British Council employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if British Council is right for you.