It is with great concern that I share my troubling experience with VITAS Healthcare’s HR department.
Despite numerous complaints made to the President, Chief Executive Officer, and other leaders, regarding high turnover, bullying, disrespect, low morale, unmotivated employees, verbal abuse, unequal enforcement of company policies, gaslighting, belittlement, discouragement of feedback, hostile work environment, discrimination, lack of empathy, harassment, the suppression of employee ideas, defamation, and not being psychologically safe, no tangible improvements were made. This lack of action has had a detrimental impact on the organizational climate, leading to the departure of valuable team members across the organization.
Exit interviews, which are managed by a third-party organization, and ultimately overseen by the EVP, Chief of HR, raise concerns about transparency and the ability for negative reviews to be properly addressed. By limiting the feedback received during exit interviews, the true extent of the issues within the HR department and the organization may not be fully acknowledged or appropriately addressed. This further perpetuates a culture of silence and prevents necessary changes from being implemented.
Additionally, the misalignment between the current state of the HR department and the Best-in-Class Award in the category of Employee Experience in Healthcare for North America awarded at the 2023 HRO Today Association Conference raises concerns about the authenticity and sustainability of the practices that led to the recognition. VITAS Healthcare must address these issues promptly and comprehensively to ensure that the employee experience aligns with the standards set by the prestigious award.
I sincerely hope that this feedback serves as a wake-up call for VITAS Healthcare to reevaluate its HR leadership and the organizational climate. It is crucial to create an environment where employees feel safe, valued, and empowered to speak up without fear of retaliation. By addressing these issues head-on, VITAS Healthcare can work towards creating a workplace that promotes inclusivity, open communication, and employee well-being.
