YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Careers and Employment

If you’re a student who’s looking for experience working with children to add to your resume and have awkward school hours this job works for you. I was in the before and after school program. I had classes in the middle of the day and evenings so this kinda worked. You’re just really tired at the end of the day. And if you need time to book off for exams and tests or personal matters management wasn’t the most supportive. Gave you a hard time if youNeeded that time knowing full well you’re a student. You got a free gym membership but between work and school there wasn’t anytime to go. Not a lot of opportunity to move up either. Directors not very supportive. It’s just a job you do to learn how to deal with kids and you move on.

Early Childhood Educator in Toronto, ON

on 26 October 2021

Not recommended

I worked for the Y for 10 years. The first few years weren’t bad, I actually loved the job and the families I worked with. But there were changes in management, managers who couldn’t care less about their employees. In a before and after school position, you would be moved numerous times to fill in for other employees who were off because some supervisors didn’t want to go into program. What values? Some management shows little to no respect to their employees. Making decisions that affect the employee without consulting them. There is so much favourtism it’s not even funny. If your direct supervisor likes you, then no problem but if not, you’re treated like the bottom of the food chain. People say you leave the job because of management. This is the main reason I left my position with the Y. Giving my notice to my supervisor was one of the happiest days of my life. The one thing I did like about my job was the families I met and the friends I made along the way. Other than that, I don’t recommend working for the Y unless you wanted to be undervalued and criticized.

RECE in London, ON

on 21 October 2021

What values?

Important to find a good team because they will be be the best part of your experience working for the Y. Front line workers are rarely given positive feedback, respect is minimal and educators m are the first to receive criticism despite not being provided with appropriate resources and lack of a decent pay wage. Management and HR are all friends and put themselves first; they disregard legitimate concerns of their employees. Many of them love to power trip over those “under” them and have witnessed a lot of bullying at the hands of management. Wouldn’t be a bad organization to work for if it was just the people at the centre you dealt with... The “higher-ups” are the ones that run things and mistreat their employees. their “values” are never truly followed by those in management (what respect? No inclusiveness of staff beliefs? Never take responsibility or admit and take responsibility when they are wrong? Etc.) and just makes them look hypocritical because many company rules never apply to them. I would not recommend any one to work at such a negative, disrespectful association and wouldn’t recommend attending as a family or participant either. Look elsewhere; there are friendlier, better paying and more welcoming/inclusive and understanding places to work out their, where you will feel more valued and respected.

School Aged Childcare Worker in Windsor, ON

on 5 September 2021

Overwhelmingly disorganized

I have worked with the YMCA twice in the last decade, and both times it was hectic to say the least. Staff can be decent to work with, however with a seemingly endless issue with short staffing, you can expect to be asked to move between sites on a relatively frequent basis.

Registered Early Childhood Educator in St. Thomas, ON

on 3 September 2021

Awful place to work

Management is unsupportive, not professional, no respect for confidentiality & does not support mental health. Staff are unwelcoming and competitive.

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