ESS is lame - Substitute Teacher ESS Employee Review

1.0
Oct 30, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Weekly pay and there are benefits that can be purchased. You choose how many days per month you wish to work, but that's not a function of ESS. All school districts where you might substitute teach allow that, irrespective of whether they have contracted with ESS.

Cons

Benefits are not strong; ESS charges a $1 garnishment fee in order to pay for child support. I've never seen that before in any company, ever. Lame. Did not get paid for attending a mandatory meeting, which is against the law in Texas. When informed, the ESS HQ employee didn't care, and did not address the question. There is a 401K, but it's lame too. It does not allow for participation until after a full year of employment. Even then, a contribution by ESS is arbitrary.

Explore other reviews about ESS

5.0
May 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pick your own schedule and flexible

Cons

Work less need more time making money

4.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The corporate support and recruitment team are excellent; they are professional and highly responsive. The onboarding and training process was comprehensive and genuinely prepared me for the realities of substitute teaching. The role offers a great deal of flexibility, opportunities to engage with the local population, and a clear pipeline for those seeking long-term subbing positions or a path toward a full-time teaching career. It is an excellent environment for networking within the education sector.

Cons

The day-to-day experience is heavily dependent on the specific district and school culture, which can vary significantly. Some districts provide free lunch, others don’t. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of respect at the school level; substitute staff are sometimes treated as expendable rather than as valued members of the team. There is a lack of job security, as pre-booked assignments are frequently canceled on short notice to accommodate other preferred substitutes. Subs have to work 4 days a month and it’s hard to meet when people are constantly being dropped from jobs. Additionally, the compensation is extremely low, and the benefits package is insufficient, making it difficult to rely on this position as a primary source of income.

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