Vantaggi
The coworkers (fellow ACWs—not management) are some of the most wonderful, kind, and down to earth people you will ever meet. They will have your back.
Svantaggi
Severely underpaid. They do not pay a livable wage and you will also not get breaks. Management pushes non-tangible forms of compensation; such as a pat on the back so they can justify the low wage. Clients are verbally abusive, sometimes physically abusive and staff are frequently emotionally and physically threatened by the clients. Staff have zero recourse to do anything about client threats or concerning behavior. Management uses a “trauma-informed” framework that excuses almost all kinds of behavior from clients that can traumatize staff. The culture is pushed onto staff so hard and is cult-ey. They fire people who are on Dr approved medical leave and make them sign a non-disclosure agreement before providing them severance. Poor support for staff on wcb leave. Tough for wcb adjudicators to get a hold of anyone who can help them reach a decision. Not LGBTQ2IA+ friendly. Next to no eduction for staff in regards to lgbtq terms (etc.) despite many staff and clients being in that community. Clients are verbally abusive to outwardly trans, gay, lesbian, etc. staff. Verbally abusive behavior toward lgbtq staff from clients, and blatant homophobia from clients are not dealt with by management. No chain of command that can be trusted to report concerns to. Staff concerns about working conditions are brushed off or ignored completely. Highly traumatizing experiences are common and the likelihood of staff being provided with adequate debriefing afterwards, or time off to recover, is slim.