I was employed at Positive Behavior Supports Corp (PBS) in the HR Specialist - Workers' Compensation role and regretfully ended my tenure after a short period. While I initially joined PBS in October 2024 with high hopes, I found the experience to be frustrating and disheartening. Here's what you can expect if you pursue this role:
Lack of Structure and Support: The onboarding process was disorganized and fast-paced. The training materials were outdated, and I received little guidance on key concepts necessary for my role. Management was often unresponsive and unclear in their communication, leaving me to "learn by experience," which was frustrating given the complexity of the tasks.
Unprofessional Leadership: The behavior I experienced from the assistant HR director was particularly difficult. During training, they would frequently make rude comments and then attempt to justify them by saying "not to be rude," which left me feeling uncomfortable. Additionally, the dual reporting structure to both assistant director of HR and manager-in training of benefits created confusion and made it difficult to get the support I needed.
Lack of Team Inclusion: Despite expressing a desire to connect with coworkers, especially remotely, I felt isolated. Opportunities for team interaction were sparse, and I was excluded from important onboarding sessions and team-building activities as a new hire. It was disheartening to hear that other staff viewed the role I was in as the "worst" position, with some even questioning whether I would stay.
Micromanagement and Nitpicking: Expect your emails to be scrutinized daily, with little constructive feedback. I was often told that my communications were unclear, but when I sought clarification or asked for help, I was met with vague responses and no real support. It felt like a "trial by fire" environment, where mistakes were highlighted but not used as learning opportunities.
Unclear Performance Metrics: When it came to my performance review, the feedback I received was generalized and did not reflect the effort I put into managing tasks such as responding to adjusters, entering claims, and ensuring that SharePoint views were up to date. I felt that the review was not a fair reflection of my work and that it lacked specific, actionable feedback to improve.
Toxic Work Environment: Unfortunately, the work environment felt toxic, particularly due to the assistant HR director's management style. This caused significant stress and anxiety, and I began to question whether I was truly supported in my role. Despite a few helpful interactions with manager-in training of benefits, the lack of timely support and clear guidance left me feeling unsupported and unappreciated.
In conclusion, if you are considering applying for the HR Specialist - Workers' Compensation role at PBS, I would advise you to be prepared for a challenging and isolating experience. The lack of clear structure in the onboarding process, unprofessional management, and inconsistent support made the role difficult to navigate. While the company culture in-office may be positive, my experience working remotely was far from supportive.
