24: Ability Options Employee Reviews

Firstly, there are some fantastic people working there who truly want to enrich lives. Initially the support and staff engagement was there but over the last 12 months there has been some seismic shifts in culture and strategy. Strange things happened in employment services when COVID struck, the most eerie being a total restructure at a time when staff were most worried about their futures and at their least resistant. New job descriptions, new contracts, cancellation of allowances and a very non-transparent "consultation" by a faceless HR team. A whole process that appeared rushed whilst people were being paid Jobkeeper. They also moved to an end to end service model which has already sent more that one job provider to the wall - it is a cost based exercise that does NOT improve service to the clients. Overall they have tried to fix what wasn't broken in the name of revenue.The damaging effect of all this posturing was a loss of staff trust, morale and an even higher staff turnover, including resignation of several at the top of the chain.Unfortunately although AO is a NFP, it is the bottom line that looks in trouble and appears to be driving this change. And it is such a great shame.By all means if you need a job quickly in the 60k range you will probably succeed but be prepared to move on within 12 months.

Pros

Salary Packaging, the staff, the network

Cons

Executive Management, Pay, Silos

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Horrible Workplace, Minimal pay, Unappreciative management

Employment Services (Former Employee) - Sydney NSW - 12 September 2023

The company does not provide any opportunity for career progression. Management micromanages. Double standards within the workplace where they have their own set of rules. DO NOT RECOMMEND WORKING HERE. During my time, I saw 10,15years employee leaving as new management does not have an understanding of the business and culture. Pay and perks are horrible. Rub salt to the wound, management makes life difficult.

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No support

DES EMPLOYMENT CONSULTANT (Former Employee) - Baulkham Hills NSW - 13 July 2023

Company that only cares about numbers and no support from management. Management and company don’t care about the participants but the outcomes. Demands given but no support to help the outcome.

Pros

Nothing

Cons

Nothing

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Great place to work

Employment Consultant (Current Employee) - Sydney Western Suburbs NSW - 10 August 2022

offers flexibility, can from home if role allows. Most of the employment roles are client facing, hence working from home can be difficult however, the company tries its best to offer flexibility where possible.

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Excellent work environment great systems and protocols

Disability Support Worker (Former Employee) - Maitland NSW - 8 November 2021

Ability Options is a 5 star organisation, excellent work ethics great work environment great systems and protocols, good team environment I would there again with no hesitation

Pros

Nil

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Great place with employees who care.

Employer Liaison (Former Employee) - Paramatta - 4 May 2021

They do good work and help a lot of people. There are clients that genuinely need and benefit from the company's work, then there are the clients that can manipulate the generous Aussie welfare system.

Pros

The clients

Cons

The clients

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Found memories

DSW (Former Employee) - Seven Hills NSW - 25 November 2020

Enjoyed the group homes I worked at with Ability Options. I am still in contact with co-workers. The main house I was in was high behaviors and still loved working there.

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Easily the worst job I have ever had

Job Support Consultant (Former Employee) - Sydney NSW - 16 July 2020

* Extremely low pay. * No real opportunities for career progression unless you would like to move horizontally. * The job is mostly focused on bringing in outcomes rather than providing real support to those in need. * Ineffective staff training. * Depending on who you dealt with at head office when submitting outcomes it felt like they made it unnecessarily difficult to submit any outcomes... in my first week I was told to my face from one particular staff member at head office that they get a kick out of harassing Job Support Consultants for outcomes. * The high levels of unnecessary stress from being a Job Support Consultant was extreme. * It felt like Ability Options didn't really care to employ quality staff, any person willing to apply for the job would often get hired. * Very low morale among ground level staff. * Constantly changing rules and criteria set by head office meant that you were always having to read lengthy and often pointless emails and learn new modules. * It felt like managers and head office treated EA's and JSC's like children with very little trust shown. * This is not a job for anyone wanting long term employment because it has such high burn out rates that staff often leave within a couple of years.

Pros

Some good staff members & the job was close to home

Cons

low pay, no real career progression, high stress, disconnect between head office & ground staff

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Horrible organisation who is out to take advantage of their employees

Employment Consultant (Current Employee) - Central Coast NSW - 18 June 2020

Their entry level staff are treated with such disrespect and continue to say to staff 'if you don't like it, join the COVID line at Centrelink' Their staff turn over is a reflection of their attitudes towards their staff. If i could rate 0 stars i would.

Pros

Nil

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Toxic and manipulative culture aimed at profit over clients in genuine need of support and guidance.

Employment Advisor (Former Employee) - North Shore NSW - 30 May 2020

Managers have procured the culture of hitting targets and not truly focusing on the community’s vulnerable. Unhealthy tactics are not a legitimate method for achieving results in general and should be investigated. Understanding, co-operation and support were very rarely demonstrated. Luckily for those in need of genuine guidance and assistance there are other providers to chose from.

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Jobs at Ability Options

Customer Support Officer

Liverpool NSW

4 days ago

Employment Consultant

Coffs Harbour NSW

12 days ago

Enjoyed it but high staff turnover for industry

DES Consultant (Former Employee) - Chatswood NSW - 1 April 2020

I was only there for 4 months. I had a business manager leave after 1 month of starting. Did not have proper training due to the changes. Love my clients and love my fellow team members.

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It was a nice experience to work in that company. All team members were very helpful and had a sound knowledge of their field of job.

Accounts Payable Clerk (Former Employee) - Sydney NSW - 30 January 2020

It was a nice experience to work in that company. All team members were very helpful and had a sound knowledge of their field of job. They were very transparent with their employees which indicated their positivity and honesty.

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Poorly managed, lack of direction

Support Worker (Casual) (Former Employee) - Kempsey NSW - 8 January 2020

Lots of work to begin with then slowly tapers off to maybe 1-2 shifts a week if you’re lucky. Shifts get cancelled without notice or cancelled after you have turned up to work. Group activities lack direction and purpose and not suitable for all clients. Poor communication between administration and workers. Needs to be more consultation with clients and families when planning activities so clients needs and goals can be met.

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High staff turnover, heavy case loads, no training, poor remuneration

Employee Engagement Consultant (Former Employee) - various around Sydney region - 13 December 2019

Bottom of the barrel remuneration gives little reward for effort. Industry attracts some sincere people but high caseload means the most conscientious burn out quickly, working all hours and weekends to keep up with compliance requirements. Poor culture pits site against site in achieving placements, and lack of collaboration creates silos. Training is almost non-existent and any query from new staff on any procedure is generally met with "it's in the Guidelines". Relentless drive for outcomes (service fees) gives rise to a bullying culture. Incredibly high turnover of staff, unprecedented in my working life.

Pros

Some decent people trying to do right by customers

Cons

Thankless work, high staff turnover

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Poor Management.

Disability Support Worker (Former Employee) - Hassall Grove NSW - 7 November 2019

With Due Respect, If you're so worried about poor management or racism, this is not a place for you. Respect yourself and look elsewhere. Regards...

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Poor Management

Customer Service (Former Employee) - Bella Vista NSW - 13 March 2019

A typical day is very quiet and limited direction from management. While they promote excellent training and development they do not follow through. The Executive Team was disjointed and rather toxic, speaking poorly about each other to staff. If you are a hard worker do not expect to be recognised for the work that you have done. Rather you will expect to be victimised and bullied for having a voice. The staff are the highlight of the workplace with some genuine and hard working individuals who are not recognised.

Pros

Morning Tea's and Themed days

Cons

Almost everything else

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Not very Supportive company

Trainer and Coach/ 2iC (Former Employee) - Sydney NSW - 15 February 2019

Your contract does not describe what you are required to do. Goal post constantly move s per the company requires with no warning. Not much support on management. No team work in the company

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Great place to work

Marketing Campaign Manager (Former Employee) - Bella Vista NSW - 6 December 2018

Brilliant senior manager with great salary benefits focused on being competitive within the Not for Profit space with a heart for those with a disability and disadvantaged.

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A Thankless Task

Concierge/Team Leader (Former Employee) - Baulkham Hills & Sydney - 14 November 2018

This should be a satisfying role where you are able to help someone every day. It isn't. Constant high-pressure & a minefield of Compliance & Regulation make this impossible. Management has a disconnect with the front line & no allowance of the vagaries of working with a client base that in many cases if not the majority, will actively work against you & doesn't have an interest in buying into the assistance you can provide. A flawed service delivery mode & constantly shifting strategy & priorities along with a massive workload make this a role that seems impossible to get on top of. In spite of massive staff turnover, senior management will not acknowledge any issue.

Cons

Long hours, management in a bubble & clients who have no interest in being clients.

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Typical Toxic Industry

Employment Advior (Former Employee) - Hornsby NSW - 1 October 2018

Many of the management team are actually normal, but, scattered through the company are narcissistic bullies that create and unsafe working environment that exposes the company to litigation. Because the industry pays such poor salaries, it attracts the bottom end of the labour market.

Pros

Salary Packaging

Cons

Bullies

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Fun Workplace

Disability Support Worker (Current Employee) - Charlestown NSW - 3 September 2017

Great people to work with however management is to be desired. Typical hours is guaranteed 15 hrs per fortnight. Learning on the job is non existent Hardest part of the job is getting work Enjoyable part of the job is meeting new people

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