Consider carefully. . . at your own risk - Human Resources Four County Counseling Ctr Employee Review

I was initially excited to work here due to what was described about the culture and the nature of the services provided. I was also impressed by the efforts that seemed to be made by the CEO for relating to employees, improving things and expanding services. However, I was disappointed to discover that the work environment is nothing like they promote and most things are nothing but lip service. If you are considering working here please read carefully and weigh all your options. I would only advise someone to work here if they are desperate and need something to hold them over until they find something better. First, this place is run by a CEO and CFO who are married. Despite the fact that this is a huge conflict of interest and ethically questionable, it is approved by the board. The CEO and CFO are both extreme micromanagers and insist on having their hands in everything. The CEO and CFO micromanage everything to the point that more time is spent reporting on what you do than actually doing it. They then do not understand why so little is able to be accomplished. Their style of micromanagement stifles growth, innovation, critical thinking, strong independent decision making and instead of encouraging and promoting empowerment, it kills it. This leaves you with a problem that is rampant at Four County; no one wants to actually make a decision, give a definitive answer to something, speak up about problems or take responsibility for ANYTHING! The CEO and CFO are dysfunctional as a couple and this flows over to how they run the organization. They often give vague and conflicting instructions and expect you to appease them both or suffer the consequences. Secondly, the culture at Four County is toxic, hostile and suffocating. This is the result of a climate that values micromanagement and punishes anyone with an autonomous mind who practices critical thinking, independence and innovation. Whenever someone attempts to take initiative or provide honest feedback they are quickly shutdown and often reprimanded. I have not only experienced this personally but also witnessed it countless times. Toxic and hostile people such as the VPs and Directors bully, threaten and harass everyone around them. They are continually encouraged and rewarded which promotes all others to in turn point fingers and place blame on those around them to deflect blame on themselves. Everyone is afraid to stand up to such people as it is obvious they are favorites of the CEO and CFO and, therefore, can do no wrong (even when outright violating policies and ethics). This sends a clear message to everyone else that they better bow down or leave. Communication and cooperation are non-existent here. Everyone is either suspicious of those around them and how they will be stabbed in the back if they say the wrong thing to the wrong person or actively looks to further themselves at the expense of anyone else. This place feels like Survivor as everyone is looking out for themselves as they struggle to just make it through another day. Thirdly, most people are given constant and unreasonable expectations that are impossible to meet. Those above want to dictate and criticize how long things take to complete when they have no idea whatsoever of how long such tasks take or how complex and in-depth they are. When these expectations are not met, individuals are then punished or threatened so that they leave before they can be forced out. While this seems to be a special tactic that is used to get rid of those who are no longer wanted (those who fall out of favor or seem to get too old), it is not reserved just for them. This is also paired with the fact that when people leave (which is constant due to all these conditions) they are often not replaced and the work is just spread among everyone else who is already overworked, overburdened and burned out. There is also no plan for easing most people into their positions. People are thrown into their jobs full swing and given the option of sink or swim. While getting into a job is the best way to learn it, Four County does this in a way that more often than not sets new people up to fail rather than succeed. When people then stumble and struggle they are not supported by those above them in a manner that seeks to help them succeed. Instead they are criticized, belittled, demoralized and reprimanded. People who have only been in their position for a short are expected to be experts at it and never make mistakes. Fourthly, one of the things I found personally difficult for my department and position was that when first starting I was told that the organization and CEO values feedback, growth and innovation. I was told that they wanted new ideas on how to improve things. I gave a lot of feedback and ideas. I would then hear from others that the same information and ideas I was providing had been provided numerous times by other people but ignored. The same information from me would then be ignored. I would then watch others come after me, hear the same message, provide the same feedback that would still get ignored. Additionally, the benefits here are very poor. Pay is super low in general and even more so considering how much you are expected to do and the amount of stress you have to deal with. Insurance covers very little and is super expensive. You could participate in the wellness program but all the labs and exams to determine your rate (with the hope of lowering it) falls on you which detracts from the amounts you are hoping to save. Overall, this place is not worth it. There are so many better options out there. This is what most people come to realize very quickly which is why they have an insane amount of turnover and are unable to keep anyone for long.