Pros
On one hand, PHI Air Medical is outstanding in its industry for hiring professional individuals with passion and a ridiculous amount of industry specific experience and application. Their "No pressure to fly" policy is fantastic and extends all the way through the channels of operation, from communications up to the teams and area managers. As far as their medical crews, I wouldn't want any other company's employees to work on myself or a loved one for emergent care. They are top notch. In turn their "Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Action" policy is a phenomenal concept...See 'cons' section for further on this topic...And is well implemented throughout the company. When it comes to safety, this policy is unparalleled. The inspections policy and flight safety protocols are brilliant, and if any employee disagrees with even one check off point, they are encouraged to speak their mind and the flight will be terminated. Overall there is a great deal of pride taken in the work by the employees at PHI Air Medical, and the work is important. The staff is efficient, knowledgeable, and mindful of the work they perform, whether it is in administration, communications, or in the field. On a personal note, the team I worked with in communications was exceptional, going above and beyond their daily "required" tasks (see 'cons' for further).
Cons
In regards to their "Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Action" policy as a phenomenal concept...There are some exceptions; it does not always get implemented and carried through. When it comes to safety, be assured the policy is carried out without a hitch. When it comes to internal policy and application, or frustrations and complaints, this is where the company fumbles, leaving the individual who raised concerns to feel as if they are 1) being dismissed, and/or 2) will face reprisals (such as being labeled a potential 'troublemaker' for raising concerns and questions) by either exclusionary means, frequent "discussions", or outright dismissal of future questions and concerns. Exclusionary and dismissive practices in some departments (particularly in Communications). Comm specs are made to feel, often, like their opinion means little and their voice can't change anything an exception is taken to. Suggestions submitted by the Comm staff are often "put on the back burner" for more pressing concerns and never readdressed, nor is Comm notified where the subject is in its proposal process. They should adequately practice what they preach regarding maintaining a balanced professional/personal life. This includes taking sick time, emergency family time, overtime requests, and requested/traded for days off. Employees are encouraged to not come into work when they are ill, but penalized when they do utilize sick time. In the event of a family emergency, no personal time is available for such events, leaving the employee to use their vacation time (sick time can not be used as the employee themselves is not ill), and if none is available the employee is required to go without pay. While they advise each case is unique, a unilateral "black and white" approach seems to be applied to all cases without consideration or involvement of the employee. In the event of another employee calling out for any reason, all employees are called to fill the shift. Perfectly understandable. However employees are often called after having declined to fill one open scheduled shift if a second employee were to call out. It leaves the employee with a sense of being badgered, or pressured to work. Policy changes with whiplash speed, and each employee is expected to be familiarized with each policy as it updates and how it pertains to them; HOWEVER it is never indicated when a policy change has been implemented, leaving employees combing through hundreds of pages of policy looking for any changes without reference material to the previous policies for comparison. While upper management remains appropriately in touch with the employees, middle management is severely lacking. Few middle management speak with employees regularly, and when they do it seems only to enact policy changes or dole out penalties and punishments. In regard to the note about the communications team I worked with. While the team was fantastic, the immediate Comm ops management team (outside of my immediate communications lead shift supervisor who was a great leader) is lackluster, dismissive, and aloof. I've experienced far better management with better tactics, respectability, and "go-to-it'ness".
