However, not the best place to work for staff. Expect to be treated like you’re working off a debt to society. There’s way too many things about this place that are huge red-flags but here’s a short list:
No employee wi-fi in the building as you’re not allowed to have your cell phone in your hands at any time throughout your shift.
Computers have software that prevent you from visiting sites that they deem unnecessary for you to be visiting. Emails to/from outside the organization are blocked unless you’re a manager. Cameras (with microphones so that everything you say out loud is also recorded) are in every hallway, and in patient rooms and they are frequently reviewed by administration, not just if an incident occurs, but also to monitor staff’s compliance with their policies (such as the phone use policy).
If you’re found sleeping (on camera feed or otherwise) on your unpaid hour break, or at any other time during your shift, there is a zero tolerance for policy violations, therefore you could have been there for years and you’ll still be terminated. No verbal warning. No written warning.
There’s no cafeteria, day or night, just vending machines with overpriced sandwiches, salads and other “convenience store” type items. They use the honor code to ensure you pay for what you take (but not really because you’re being recorded).
If any of the higher functioning children get aggressive, you’re not allowed to defend yourself or try to protect the child from hurting themselves as you’ll be reported to the state.
There’s quite a bit of nepotism at the facility. Parents of children who receive services are either on the board of directors or are in the high up levels of administration.
If you know someone who likes you a lot, you might be spared the axe and just get a warning if you violate a policy whereas if you anger the wrong person, consider yourself a moving target.
Overall, while the children make the work you do there an absolute blessing, the administration, managers, supervisors, their policies, and treatment of staff make it so that you feel like you are always walking on eggshells. If you’re no longer wanted there, it doesn’t matter what the reason, you won’t even get the courtesy of a verbal warning, let alone a written one. Sadly, this place could be so much better if it treated its employees as good as it treats its residents, parents, and donors.
