Toxic culture masked as “high performance” — deeply biased against working mothers - Anonymous employee Target Employee Review

I experienced consistent bias and subtle harassment for being a mother while also being ambitious about my career. The culture strongly favors a very narrow personality type—loud, animated, overly performative—and quietly sidelines anyone who doesn’t fit that mold. Working parents, especially mothers, are judged more harshly, questioned more often, and expected to constantly “prove” commitment in ways others are not. Flexibility and empathy are talked about, but not practiced meaningfully. Promotion and visibility often depend less on quality of work and more on: How loudly you speak in rooms How well you “perform” confidence Whether you socialize with the exclusive inner circle There is an unspoken pressure to act, talk, and behave a certain way to be accepted. If you don’t align with the popular group or office politics, your contributions are easily overlooked. The environment can feel cliquish, emotionally unsafe, and draining over time. Feedback is inconsistent, and bias is rarely acknowledged or addressed. Psychological safety is low, especially for those who don’t conform.