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• A place to die. Other reviewers nailed it. Cronyism, nepotism with zero accountability. Entire families work for the city, how do they get jobs? Lots of poorly educated staff with no more than a high school diploma, a couple of night courses and a tremendous amount of arrogance to boot. This is a typical public servant at city. The idea of serving public is a thing that most don’t live by, me me me culture is what shapes this corporation.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 29 December 2020 by Rater #25 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• CRONYISM.
  Harassment by supervisor, leads, managers / lack of respect. Becoming Toxic; Fear based performance. Union not very helpful as it is short staffed.
  Not healthy place for an immigrant with no real ties here.
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  Posted on 27 November 2017 by Rater #24 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• If your looking for a job in Corporate Security because you think it may lead into by-law or good for the resume....think again.
  These guys are the biggest joke going around in the security industry. It's bad when major private firms like G4S, Garda and Securitas that pay their staff garbage wages say..."well, at least were not as bad as Toronto's Corporate Security"
  Management is seriously comical on how they think their badass. I say this with the up most seriousness to the point where you cant take anything serious because its honestly one big JOKE. The most you can do is just laugh at how bad this organization is within the Toronto public service. DN, Director in charge, your a failure.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 22 January 2017 by Rater #23 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• It's hard to write a review without coming off as disgruntled or jaded, but I would ask please keep an open mind about what I have to say and at least consider the possibility that this very well is true.
  
  As a recent former employee (Municipal Standards Officer or By-law Officer) working for the city under the Municipal Licensing and Standards division, I say with confidence I was disappointed, let down and not impressed at almost every turn during my tenure with the city.
  
  You would think that from the outside looking in that Toronto would be a great place to work for and would be a leader in setting examples for the smaller municipalities in innovation, ideas, practices, safety and culture etc. However from my personal experience it is quite the opposite.
  
  Business Model/Vision/Culture etc - It's all pure fluff, everyone from the supervisors, managers and directors right up to Mayor Tory himself can tout (and they do regularly) that working for the city (ML&S) is all about public and customer service/public safety, well I can tell you it is not. Consider this, when your management staff tell you as an officer to issue a charge, fee and fine at every turn and "ding" people as much as possible (instead of working with them to gain compliance or getting them to fix the actual issue/comply), let alone base your performance as an officer purely on the monetary value you create, you quickly realize the customer service and providing safety line they feed you is crud and it is truly all about bringing $ into the city and into the pockets of senior management; who in turn get a bigger bonus the better the division performs fiscally. The more charges you lay and fines you give out, in other words the more work you do gets you a reward in the form of a comment "Good job, now bring us more".
  
  One of the biggest problems at the city as a whole is communication and also the technology staff are provided to do it. As a tax payer you expect services for your hard earned $, but how can staff do that effectively if communication between internal departments is almost non existent, and the devices given out (computers, software, phones etc) are archaic and often break down? I cannot tell you how hard it is just to locate an office or staff member, let alone a phone number even inside the city, no easy access use directly or list or policy between departments existed at my time of departure.
  
  While on the topic of communication and technology how about the resources allocated. As an ML&S officer you are expected to enforce the cities by-laws, but did you know you could be expected to perform a quasi law enforcement role while using your own personal vehicle? Yep, it's real. A certain division that operates inside ML&S requires its officers to conduct enforcement which involves going to private properties, bars, nightclubs, or just about anywhere to conduct enforcement. Sounds safe and fair doesn't it? The reality? The city saves $ by forcing these officers to use their own vehicles (wear and tear, gas, repairs) etc and from what I had heard, ignores the cry's of health and safety and unfairness from it's own officers. Officers are required to conduct enforcement with minimal mediocre safety training, no use of force model or tools such as a vest or a dog bite stick are provided. Why not? Cheaper to pay an individual insurance claim than to outfit and train 300+ officers city wide. Shows how valued your life truly is to the employer.
  
  Lastly, I will touch on atmosphere etc. It's mostly negative. Officers are overworked, under-staffing and "gaping" is rampant and are routinely required to do the work of up to 3 officers at a time on occasions. So if your wondering why your complaint isn't being responded to in a timely manner, well there you have it. Management rule with an iron fist, are not transparent, favoritism is all; to common as well as nepotism, many supervisor not properly trained or qualified for the job they have etc.
  
  It's sad.
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  Posted on 15 October 2016 by Rater #22 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• Disgusting environment with incompetent and pretentious high school dropout "managers" who are now in hereditary positions. Basically a clown show of thieves. Expect nepotism, cronyism and favoritism. A job for the brain dead. Most people are there for the money and are looking to get into other services.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 25 May 2016 by Rater #21 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• I am proud of being a member of Corporate Security unit of City of Toronto. Perfect management skills. I love what I do and that is to serve my community in a positive and professional way.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 2 September 2013 by Rater #19 | Comments (2) | Flag as inappropriate

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• Not the healthiest environment  

  Posted on 14 December 2012 by Rater #18 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Pretty awful place to be if you are looking for a challenging, rewarding and stimulating place to work. If you are not in the union you will not have any decent shot at upward mobility if the jobs you are applying to are union jobs. Even if you are in the union, you cannot go anywhere unless you have 5-10 years seniority, so don't bank on working in a crappy union job just to move up. Won't happen. I did however, become a master at pretending to look busy and making 1/2 hour of work stretch into 7.5 hours of work a day. That takes skills! I got out as soon as I could to work for a company that has actual real work for me to do each day. I do really miss those benefits though - the best ever.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 5 December 2012 by Rater #17 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• The city has one of the most competitive benefits package. Their standardization facilitates easily getting used to a post. There was bureaucracy, but for the Transportation department, not as much as I expected while working there.
  As a public-servant, in the field, with public-interaction, some negatives include the negative attitudes and remarks from those who feel that because you wear the city's logo while working, it translates to you being responsible for the culmination of what they feel is not going right. However, other members of the public are co-operative and even pleasant - and say thank you especially when you don't expect it.
  Roles and responsibilities are more or less clearly outlined. It is very apparent if the measures put in place to keep its employees safe, against potential physical dangers and even harassment, which I appreciate very much.
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  Posted on 18 November 2012 by Rater #16 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• There is the talk... then there is the reality and the walk. Try really heard but needs better middle management to implement strategic priorities. Workers often feel unappreciated. HR hiring practices need a total revamp at the middle management level.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 31 August 2012 by Rater #15 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• the worse security unit I have ever seen. Most of the management staff ,with no high school diploma, have no clue what management is about.
  (...).  

  Posted on 2 August 2012 by Rater #14 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Working for this employer has changed my life. I am so grateful to work for the City of Toronto and got in as a fluke. I didn't "know someone" or expect to get the job and have been here a few years now. There is dead weight and people who coast but there are also the hardest workers I have ever seen!! Every work place has its good and bad, the City is of course no different. If you have had as many jobs as me you would be able to appreciate a good one when you get it and I have never been more thankful. It is difficult to move up because there are so many employees and I have been to a ton of interviews but I will continue to and hope I'm lucky enough to always work for the City of Toronto!! The Best of the Best!!   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 4 April 2012 by Rater #12 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• If you're looking for learning, advancement, rewarding and making social difference, City of Toronto is not the place for you.
  
  I can start off with their HR. My interview process was quite unprofessional. The interview was 1 1/2 hr late. The questions in the interview was not opened to all; the questions were very industry-niched oriented jargon. This showed me they're looking for someone who will memorize the book and follow and not creative.
  
  I worked there over 3 years. Management communication was very poor. Often, we find that there are overlapping departments, staff working on the same project and no information exchange or even aware what the others are doing. Some upper managements have their favorites and excluded all valuable opinions of the team. They were very slow in responding to new trends or ideas. Unless you were in the circle, no recongnition nor advancement. Very stressful place to work, not because of the complexity of the work, but rather constant broken communication and tremendous amount of micro-managing as well many decisions were in cross-fire or were used as political tools, rather than the actual sound and long-term analysis of the decision making process.
  Some departments would even hide information and purposely throw a curve ball at the last min in order to protect its own interest.
  I believe the city has many many talented staff, but hard to thrive, provide and assist in making sound judgements, when you have so many councillors fighting amoung each other
  
  I quit the city and not regreting that I gave up the benefits and pentions ... I just find the structure and the enviroment created such depressing place to work   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 22 September 2011 by Rater #11 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Life long therapy, no advancement, underemployed university educated bunch, poisoned atmosphere, few do work of many who don't, no recognition, or internal communication, no engagement, tasks/responsibilities never ending, need 24 hour triage, complete lack of Management skills, Compensation and benefits somewhat ok, until Ford deals with that during next round of collective agreement talks, Are you proud to work for this company? are you kidding!!!!! Do you get enough feedback about your work? never, and if any, always negative....worse job I had and desperately need to get out.........work for Mickey Mouse..stuck with golden handcuffs...If I do not get out soon..help....   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 11 August 2011 by Rater #10 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• My experience of an employee with the city has allowed me to witness the corruption, mismanagment and unethical, punitive practices first hand. What can I say? This about covers it.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 17 July 2011 by Rater #9 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• I would recommend to friends only for the benefits and pay.  

  Posted on 12 July 2011 by Rater #8 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• As a Seasonal employee, I do not like their hiring policy, Seasonal workers a treated with disrespect.It's very hard to get a permanent position Within the city of toronto.
   

  Posted on 23 November 2010 by Rater #7 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• City of Toronto pays well, but because of this fact, they try and get rid of you if they want a friend to get in.
  
  It is very difficult to fire you, however they can be very creative. It is the same in all departments, so it is not a biased statement. They love to intimidate you and therefore the moral is very low.
  
  The reason people stay is because of their pension. It is rare for an employee to get fired, however there is a lot of psychological abuse and some employees are suffering from stress.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 19 July 2010 by Rater #6 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

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• Management is a joke! Most have been with the city for 25 years or more years, many over 30 years! Dead wood and ignorant! One Supervisor I know that supervises 3 people, has no idea what they do, and does basically nothing all day. He made over 122k last year. Check out this list: http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2010/munic10b.html a list made up mostly of Supervisors, Managers, Directors, Chiefs and Politicians... by the way, primarily all NON union employees. So it's the "NON-union" employees that are making and costing the city Millions of Dollars in Taxpayers Money! And don't forget they are the ones managing the city! As management would do, they try to shift the blame to the poor union worker (like admin assistants making around 40k+ per year) No it's not a good place to work. I worked there as a University student for my placement and saw enough to make me sick!   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 1 April 2010 by Rater #5 | Comments (1) | Flag as inappropriate

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• The City of Toronto has other departments that are not unionized such as corporate security.
  (...). And because staff in this department are not in a union it is almost impossible to transfer into any other job within the corporation because they can easily kick them to the curb and bring in a "buddy" from the outside.
  Best thing I did was quit.   read complete rating Hide complete rating

  Posted on 31 March 2010 by Rater #4 | Add Comment | Flag as inappropriate

  Was this review helpful? 18 2