Worst place to work as CNA in Seattle. - Care Manager Aegis Living Employee Review

Never have I worked at a company and felt so taken advantage of as an employee. As a Care Manager (this is the title they give CNA's to feel better about being underpaid with little to no benefits package), we are the backbone of the care facility. I started work in the middle of 2014 because they were short-staffed. I had to work every holiday that season and spent my first holiday alone in Seattle, hundreds of miles away from my family. My manager did not respond well to the very few instances I requested time off, and it was very difficult to communicate my frustrations to any other supervisors. I can't blame my manager too much though, who was noticeably overworked as well. The vacation accrual for CNA's is also horrendous. At the six month mark I think I only had .7 days accrued for paid time off. This is highly unusual. And it's not that they're unaware of how difficult it is to live comfortably off the wage they're willing to give you. During the winter holidays they take donations (clothing and such) from employees and put together a giveaway. So instead of paying you enough or giving you a holiday bonus to buy your kid what's on their wish-list, you bring them to this event and hope they find somebody's secondhand item. Think lots of coats. The Aegis organization claims to appreciate its employees more than other companies yet refuses to give a holiday bonus. Instead they go door-to-door asking our residents and their families (who are paying upwards of 8,000/month) to donate to our holiday bonus fund. That was morally questionable to me. I shouldn't receive a holiday bonus because of some family's generosity. I should receive it because I worked hard as an integral part of their staff and deserve a cut of the pie just like everyone else. If you plan on using this place as your stepping stone to a better job; think again. Aegis has a strict "no reference" policy. AKA, no manager is allowed to write you a reference letter for future jobs. You can tell this company really wants to help further your success right? This company is the perfect example of why unions exist. Luckily, Seattle is full of healthcare facilities that are organized! So go work there and avoid this place at all costs. When I left for another CNA job, I immediately got a 50% wage increase along with stellar healthcare and benefits.