disability support worker

Lethbridge Family Services

I love the actual work of being a Healthcare aide. The clients are amazing and so appreciative. However, the company itself leaves a lot to be desired. They work you long hours. You only ever get 2 days off in a row every other weekend. They constantly hound you to pick up more shifts, and if you don't they will get upset with you saying things like you're not a team player or you don't care about the clients. The managers can be major bullies. Instead of calling and discussing a possible concern or issue with you, they will immediately assume you've done something wrong and it's almost like an attack when they call or email you about it. They really don't seem to care about their Frontline HCAs having a personal life or being able to have time off to take care of themselves. And if you complain about having too many long shifts, they just brush it off saying they're short staffed. 

I was mostly and independent entity with my position but worked with various staff doing out-reach in the schools and on bigger out-reach activities (ex.  Soup-Kitchen, Camp Retreat, Scuba-diving etc.)  Outside of this I created  mentoring activities in the community and did much networking to provide affordable experiences for the youth, (ex. free orchestra tickets, discounts on skiing). The hardest part of my job was probably letting it all go and giving myself a break, especially at home, because much of my work was done from home, (networking or connecting with the kids or team).  The most enjoyable part was building the relationships with the kids.  I truly loved my job, but unfortunately our funding was cut in July.

Position was decently secure but pay was low and expectations were difficult to meet. Workplace dynamics were positive on the surface but, after becoming more involved, toxicity became clear. It can be difficult to speak for your own needs without feeling like walking on eggshells or worrying about elements of resentment or retaliation from leadership. Little flexibility from leadership to move with changing community or employee needs. Very thorough policies and procedures but at times they felt restrictive and excessive. Upper management felt hard to connect to and front-line workers are disempowered. 

In my 10 years in the workforce, this is the worst environment I had ever stepped foot in. Only giving full time staff 32 hours a week, and 2.5 hour shifts for relief staff. Staff were very cliquey, and were not welcoming to new staff. Strengths and weaknesses were not taken into account when matching staff to clients, only clients preferences were taken into account and clients could get staff into trouble. Though my learning disability was not documented during the time I was employed there, my need to use GPS while driving was not cared about, only client preference for not having GPS in the vehicle. Very top heavy organization with high paid office staff and poorly treated front line staff, would not recommend. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working in year 2016-2018 with a great outstanding management team, who truly valued their people. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
When new management came, our life became miserable, cost cutting, not paying right, more work less pay

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Sluggish, poor collaboration, absurd, apathetic 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Stressful, exhausted dealing with the supervisor trying to play or shuffled your schedule from time to time.

I found the staff and culture to be really pleasant. The policies of the organization were thoughtful and evidence-based. They always seem willing to collect feedback, act accordingly, and make appropriate changes for the wellbeing of clients and employees. 

Pay was not great/liveable and it was hard to advance in a career there. Some managenent staff were not flexible about hours or didn't communicate expectations very well. I would recommend it nevertheless, lots of opportunity to move around if you don't like your supervisor. 

management is HORRIBLE. Don’t care about you or your family. They are huge bullies and and extremely unprofessional. They make you bend over backwards for them, but get mad at you when your sick and need time off .  They also don’t pay overtime, and your forced to work split shifts. They can’t keep new staff longer than 3 months as they quit due to working conditions . Older staff stay because they are scared to voice their concerns or just “deal with it”. 10+ staff left on stress leave within the last 6 months . DO NOT WORK HERE . Not worth it .

Toxic environment ! Conditions and practices that are unrealistic and absurd. System that is set up so Management is never liable. Expected to work for free , travel thru breaks , be available 24/7. Bullying, pressure, manipulation everyday tactics used on frontline staff ! No raise in two years , No bonuses ( for frontline workers) expected to pound your vehicle into the ground with little compensation .(55

Busy days of helping disability people. Always on the go and busy with new things all the time.
Working at alot of different jobsites. Many connections with managements at job placements.
Keeping confidentiality at all times.

Worked on own but had to report back to management alot.
Hardest part of job was working late night shifts and alot of weekends.

Enjoyable was watching individuals doing well on their own and being independent.

 Dacapo: This place will test your sanity on many levels. There is a serious lack of leadership and poor management practices. Trainings are irrelevant, and you will be thrown into your role with little to no support.

There are no opportunities for advancement, and the pay is incredibly low—even if you have solid experience in the field.

The only enjoyable part of this job is working with the amazing clients, and the benefits are decent. 



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