I work for a small UK charity supporting disabled people. In just over two years, I’ve had five different line managers, including periods where I had no line management at all. The current charity manager just handed in her notice (leaving in two weeks) after only three months. Two of the strongest managers we’ve had left due to repeated interference from the trustees, who have consistently overstepped into operational matters and blocked attempts to stabilise the organisation.

There’s been an ongoing culture of micromanagement, emotional harm, and a lack of accountability. Trustees monitor staff comms, send constant unsolicited input into specialist work, and have even sat in on staff interview panels to monitor how we “behave.” It’s created a culture of surveillance and mistrust.

One former manager broke down due to this pressure and confided suicidal thoughts to me. I was left untrained and unsupported, and the trustees took no safeguarding action. No debrief, no policy review, no acknowledgement.

Other ongoing issues include:

- Still only have a basic DBS, despite working with sensitive financial/personal data

- I lost an Access to Work grant because no one supported me in processing it while I was the only employee

- Repeated need to pay for work expenses personally because trustees won’t agree to a staff credit card

- Requests for expense reimbursement often delayed or met with disapproval

- Staff feedback regularly ignored, including from communications staff who later left

- Consent procedures at public events were breached, raising serious safeguarding concerns

Two managers tried to implement structural improvements (Occupational Health, policy updates, comms strategy) but were essentially driven out. Trustees continue to avoid recruiting people with key skills (HR, Finance), prioritising those with lived experience who "fit in".

I haven’t yet submitted a formal grievance but feel I may have no choice. The problem is, the issues involve the entire board, and I don’t trust the process to be handled fairly. My health is deteriorating due to the emotional toll, and I feel stuck between loyalty to our members and a governance structure that’s breaking down.

My questions:

- Has anyone been through something similar in the UK charity sector?

- Is it worth submitting a grievance when the entire board is involved?

- Should I raise this with the Charity Commission or another regulator?

- Can anything compel an external investigation if the trustees are the problem?
 

Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks in advance