Pros
The purpose of the work we do is almost noble -- to ensure that healthcare providers are worthy of the very important jobs they hold, that they won't endanger or cheat the people who have trusted them with their lives. That means a lot to me, and inspires me to put my very best foot forward. It is a business that is unlike others, and is growing, so creativity and ideas are welcome, and problems are opportunities to find resolutions. Supervisors and management are determined to be fair, communicative, and welcome questions, while working to find the balance between compassion and efficiency. The attitude is professional, yet warm. Benchmarks of performance are clear and reasonable, and no one is fired for poor performance without warning and multiple attempts to define what is getting in the way and chances to improve. Generous "Paid Time Off" accrual after 90 days, even for part time employees, who are also eligible for other benefits as well. Women clearly have equal opportunities for promotion here, and on-the-job training advances many into areas they never knew they'd be taking on. Pay is considerably better than other office jobs in the area. The company is not looking to eventually outsource the work or sell to a less considerate public-trading company.
Cons
The biggest challenge is handling change as better ways of doing things are implemented, or as the growth causes departments, responsibilities and leadership to move around. I've also seen issues arrive when employees mistake a warm atmosphere for a casual approach to work habits. There is lots of work to be done, and some employees are slow to understand how efficient they must be, which can cause frustration from both sides. Because many employees have less experience in the workplace, they are challenged by the balance of high quality and quantity that is eventually expected. Training is an evolving area, which means new people get an intensive initial training, and must also understand that directions that are given will be refined and even changed once they are past the initial training stage.