Good starting point - Clinician Harmless Employee Review

You make a difference to local communities and help save lives. Four day working week, annual leave entitlement and other benefits are significant pros especially for an SME in the third sector. Amazing colleagues who are passionate, skilled and dedicated to supporting and helping others. Wider support offered to workforce is incredibly valuable.

The role, specialism and sector is not for everyone so it is important to be open and ensure Harmless is right for you (as a prospective employee) as much as you are right for Harmless. When it works it works really well and can be incredibly rewarding but when there is misalignment it can result in mutual issues. Harmless is still a third sector service so systems and equipment other organisations take for granted are not always readily available due to funding. That can be problematic. There can be short periods of high pressure and demands which can be difficult to navigate but is much more manageable if you use the support on offer and are open with management.

In addition to the incredible work being done in the sector, I have personally found the following benefits to be extremely valuable: 4-Day Working Week Generous Annual Leave Pension Contributions Occupational Sick Pay Flexible Working Arrangements CPD Opportunities Working at Harmless has been an immensely rewarding experience. I genuinely appreciate the autonomy and trust placed in me by the senior management team, which empowers me to take initiative and contribute meaningfully to our mission. My unique expertise is not only recognised but also valued, leaving me feeling truly appreciated in my role. I also feel that my voice is heard within the organisation. While I understand that not every idea I bring forward will be implemented, I respect that there are other factors and priorities at play. This level of openness and transparency fosters a collaborative and supportive working environment that I deeply value. I have also found the support from colleagues and management to very beneficial.

Working at Harmless comes with its share of challenges, as is the case with any passionate and mission-driven organisation. Collaborating with a team of equally committed individuals can occasionally lead to frustrations, as strong passions sometimes result in differing perspectives. In my experience, there have been times when I felt that my pathway’s interests were not accurately or appropriately represented. However, I recognise that it’s my responsibility to address these concerns directly with those involved, and doing so has led to stronger working relationships. In the past, I’ve also faced challenges working with colleagues who, for various reasons, seemed less open to change. While I didn’t necessarily feel the proposed changes always needed implementation, I found it crucial that they be given thoughtful consideration, accompanied by clear explanations on feasibility. Similarly, I’ve learned the importance of evidencing why I support certain changes. Addressing these issues directly has been essential and has ultimately improved collaboration. I understand there may be future disagreements, but I believe it’s important to focus on what benefits the organisation and the people we serve. Additionally, pay in the third sector is always a concern. While it’s not perfect, I acknowledge that the pay rises in recent years have outperformed many other sectors, where increases (if any) have been limited. Ultimately, it’s up to me to raise any issues I’m unhappy with through the appropriate channels, which I think is fair.