The downsides at Addus unfortunately outweigh the pros. The choice to work with aging/health care is one I persue so money is not the big factor for me like it may be for someone with dependants. With that said, aides are hired at $10.00 an hour with a nickle increase for each year of service. (After ten years of service you could be earning $10.50 an hour. ) Addus does give employees sick time. If you work 8 hours a day, but home 3 days sick in bed , you lose $240.00. Providers are paid take care of those who can't help themselves, but when the helper falls ill Aduss doesn't provide for them Addus employees are expected to work holidays and get paid time and half. If an employee takes a holiday off, they are required to make the time up at regular pay within the 2 week pay period. Wages are also low to the employee if a client contacts Addus and requests no service on any particular day the employee is scheduled. Two ways to make up for the lost income is if the client agrees the Home Care Provider come on a later date, or if the supervisor has you fill in for an employee who has called in sick or takes the day off. If you work an 8 hour shift you'll have to eat lunch on the road between clients. Addus does pay 43 cents a mile to get from one client to another AFTER your first stop. For example, my first client of the day is in Polo. Although it is an 18-19 mile drive, I get no compensation since it is my first client of the day. If you have a CNA certificate you a added to their internal system as a certified CNA but Addus does not offer any benefit for the certificate. The only benefit of having a CNA certificate with Addus and it being in their system is the certificate continues to stay active (certificates expire after two years of inactivity when you're not employed as a CNA.)While Addus conforms to state regulations and has paid quarterly meetings they left me feeling that only the truely dedicated Home Care Provider is nothing more than a Glorified Housekeeper. The few people who may enjoy work at Addus are high school graduates looking for their first job, people who REALLY care about our seniors, or people who are self motivators and enjoy working independly.
