support worker

food service attendant

registered nurse

executive assistant

unit clerk

Thorpe Recovery Centre

A typical work day is spent running around chasing crises or being shouted at in meetings by their unhinged management staff or being micromanaged to tears. The work life balance is non-existent, they have positions burn out people too quickly so they keep hiring and letting people burn out and quit rather than changing the job role. They also hire really bad and unprofessional, unqualified people, and even allow them to manage the place even though they have no education. The work culture is a burnt out gang of bullies that joke about how quickly people quit working and they said the shortest time was a new person stayed was half a day.  The salary and benefits are lousy, the front line staff are paid minimum wage and the counsellors didn't seem better off. The vacation time schedule is a joke, you can only book off times when the senior staff don't want them, so don't expect to ever have a stat or holiday off ever again or have a vacation time when normal people go on them. The hardest part of the job is the staff and culture. Some staff are okay, but they usually quit because of how bad it is to work there, and the people that stay couldn't get a job in the field if they quit because they no skill or education. Anyone who is professional doesn't stay very long because of how terrible a place it is to work, some people get scapegoated constantly because they speak out and quit. Management cries that staff doesn't like them and then fire people with no explanation.

The best part of the job are the wonderful patients and the kitchen's food. I got to work with all kinds of patients to and they are really interesting and I helped them. And I went in there to help people but the work culture and management pushes punishing patients for being sick with addiction. Not even kidding. I learned don't want to work in such a place, especially in a lousy part of the province with a high cost of living! So, Bye bye!

Heads up: this isn't a field of work for everyone. Days can be long, stressful, and full of frustration-- but is it worth it? Yes. 

My experience has been the opposite to the other reviews here. I am supported, engaged, and proud to work at this facility. Being a part of a team that helps others build a foundation in recovery is amazing. No two days are alike and there is such a motivation to keep improving both personally and professionally. 

In my 5 years here, I have grown in more ways than I can really say. This is a wonderfully supportive group of individuals from the Community Support Team, to the Kitchen, to Admin, and the Clinical Team. Everyone plays a part in the process to help our community. 

There are days where patience is tested, days feel glum, or there's bad news around every corner. But, as a team share in the experience and are able to discuss openly our concerns, fears, or provide constructive feedback to overcome any challenges ahead. 

As a non-profit, this organization does its best to maintain the balance between good programming and being efficient with funds. Cost of operations continuously increase while funding remains the same and the leadership team has done a great job to ensure our clients get the same high level of care regardless of the economic challenges. 

So, if you're afraid of a challenge, this isn't for you. But, if you're up to helping others in a team environment that is constantly evolving to improve the quality of care we provide: apply now!

The people practicing therapy are not qualified to be counselling professionals. When I worked there only one individual had a minimum of a Masters degree, and many only had their high school education if that. As a therapist of many years now, reflecting on my time at Thorpe makes me feel shocked and appalled at the lack of standards these helping professionals have. The screening process is non-existent, and they don't seem to care that families can throw away thousands of dollars to the program - even when it is obvious that the client is not willing to engage with services. It's about the cash flow. You're left with basic psychoeducation, unqualified staff, and unmotivated clients. This is simply unethical. I write this to caution young professionals beginning their careers to consider other employment options. You may pick up bad habits or be put in uncomfortable positions at Thorpe. 

Other considerations for my low review include poor management (and high turnover due to same), incompetent business professionals (also unqualified on this side of things), poor understanding of work/life balance and how crucial this is to helping professionals performing optimally, and many instances of other unethical behaviors that any professional with legitimate credentials would feel uneasy with. During my time at Thorpe, they had entire wings closed off due to poor enrollment rates. It honestly surprises me they continue to remain operational to this day.

DO NOT WORK HERE. Management is horrifying, it's gotten better since removing part of management but they made it worse by hiring on a person into management who is completely fake. Acts as if she cares about feelings of staff and than turns around behind closed doors to throw judgement and shame at them when they hit a wall or burn out. It is clear on who brown noses to this person and who doesn't. I have had countless co-workers come to me and cry about the shame they felt from management. 
 Some management is alright, but that is few and far between.
The meals are amazing, most support staff are pretty incredible and some counsillors are good. We lost two great counsillors and its slim picking for who actually knows their stuff. It is really hard taking in client stories and with how awful the benefits package is, we can hardly afford professional therapy in order to help us cope. 
The pay is not worth the mental, physical and emotional strain this place puts on you. Currently on the lookout for another job and on my way out. It's no wonder our turn over rate is so high. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Getting to go home at the end of the day. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Knowing you work the next day, getting up for work. Going to work. Wondering who will drag you into their office that day. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Highly toxic culture with extremely dismissive and uncaring management, especially HR. There is a clear lack of empathy, professionalism, and respect for employees, even during serious life events. One of the least supportive environments I’ve experienced.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
An absolute mess. I started with 0 training, and continued on with no training for my entire duration of employment. It was extremely stressful as there was absolutely no system in place and no way to make one because they’ve had their current set up for so long. Constantly asking if I can do anything for anyone. We basically all sit on our phones looking for other jobs.

When I first started it was very overwhelming as there was little to no training given, all you where told was to have boundaries in place. As I continued my employment I became more confident in myself. The problem was the toxicity of four or five on staff from management down. If you disagree with any opinion expressed you are reported to HR. I also feel that if you say something to make management look bad you are immediately fired and escorted out of the building. They claim they have a just culture but it only applies to those that conform to the status quo. If you try to make suggestions that improve client care, programs or to better yourself you are looked at like you are a bug on managements shoes. It feels as though management thinks you are easily replaced so to be respected is not your right. If you want to keep your mental health in good order just don't apply. 

I worked as a nurse at TRC! I’m saddened to see the negative reviews . It is a face pace ever changing environment which I was made aware of in my interview. While exhausted after my shifts , I gained so many new skills in mental health while working there. My manager was supportive and as flexible as she could be. The only reason I left was for a job with better pay. TRC is a great place to start your nursing career as they are accepting and willing to train new grads which I struggled to find. Anyone who is a nurse knows they eat their young - this is not the culture at TRC! The nursing team was helpful, supportive and made me feel so welcome. The environment can feel toxic if you don’t take care of yourself , you are dealing with sick people and if you don’t practice self care- you can burn out fast. This isn’t because of the “ culture” at TRC this is because of the nature of working in Residential treatment. It’s not for everyone. 

I love working in the field of addictions. The clients, work, and majority of your coworkers are great. Unfortunately the senior management is out of touch and unpredictable. One day you’re best buddies the next you’re being publicly shamed for a made-up scenario. Management is a mixed bag. They had a great manager who they lost after making her job miserable and now other managers are totally unbalanced. Refuse to acknowledge things like gender identity or pride week citing that those issues are “too political” but are very quick to be borderline inappropriate when pointing out made-up dress-code infractions.

Below average pay. No raises or laughable 10 cent/hr increases. Bizarre culture of power and control. Stay far far away if you value your ethics or sanity.

I have worked at Thorpe Recovery Centre for almost 7 years. It breaks my heart to see some of the negative reviews left because I hold this place close to my heart. This building is full of love, compassion, and caring people, staff and clients!
Our staff is passionate about what they do and it shows. Everyone is willing to go above and beyond for one another and the best interest of clients is always at the forefront of every decision.
It isn't always an easy place to work, addiction is powerful and it is difficult to witness other people's pain. It can be exhausting but the rewards far outweigh that. We have an opportunity every day to empower others to live a life of recovery.
I am heard, supported, and encouraged. I can be fully myself and be honest about my strengths and weaknesses without judgement. I have never experienced negativity with management in all my time there. 
I am blessed to be a part of the Thorpe family and for that I am grateful.

There has definitely been a decrease in staff turnover since they began hiring less and less qualified counselors. But it's still not good. Sure, less educated people have fewer options and that's certainly a plus to this management team. But that's not how you manage people. If only there were managers who had invested in an education in managing professionals.  We advertise for an executive assistant and demand higher qualifications than the CEO they would assist.  Nothing will truly change here until this ignorant senior leadership is gone.  They just keep blaming the staff for not being able to buy in to the 'community'.  If you hired management that could read Thorpe might find out that the community model is a culture that requires management to create a very specific environment.  You can't call it a community model and rule top down at the same time. Pick up a book.  

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Support worker 4 salaries reported	$23.09 per hour
Food service attendant 3 salaries reported	$17.83 per hour
Registered nurse 3 salaries reported	$42.68 per hour
Executive assistant 3 salaries reported	$23.29 per hour
Unit clerk 2 salaries reported	$24.00 per hour

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