The worst of the downsides to VCA has to be the way the management treats the employees when they are short staffed. Some of the managers will help out with kennels if there is no attendant, others will not. They, however, will ask the employees that have been there all day if they can stay until closing to help out because (insert excuse here). Good luck at getting a day off, make sure you tell 10 different people that you want the days off, because management might forget and put you on the schedule or make decisions when they THEMSELVES are out of town regarding your work schedule. Another thing that is completely wrong is that they don't give you a lunch break, even though it is a law. You do well if you get two, ten minute breaks over the course of a day. Also, when people don't show up for their shift, and the manager isn't able to come back in to work that person's shift you sometimes have to work with a receptionist, vet tech, and one doctor doing everything in the hospital because you're short a kennel person. Imagine: Running to let out a dog to potty while answering the phone, starting a load of laundry, holding a dog for a pedicure or bloodwork, and getting one appointment into a room while you have two standing in line to check out, and one person to pick up a prescription refill. It happens a lot and is very stressful. When you feel that because of the good things you have done for the company (or the fact that you've been there over a year and it's time for your review) and ask your manager if you can get a payraise or promotion they always say they will get that for you and six months later you're still waiting. No sense talking to the regional manager about the problem either, she won't call you back, and will just ask the hospital manager what is going on and then disregard what you've told her about the problems there. Not to mention that every February the company as a whole raises their prices 6% across the board. The prices for veterinary care are astronomical and to keep raising prices is ridiculous when half the clintele are elderly and can barely afford the basic annual exam and vaccines that are over $100.00 for their pet. Also, if you work on commission, you have to make sure that you actually get paid for each week on your check. I was not paid on three seperate occassions until the NEXT check. Who can afford to pay bills with nothing?
