Quote:
Originally Posted by apocalipstic
Now what should a business be for example? Should it be a for profit Healthcare Industry? No.
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I've been working for a paycheck for 34 years....with 1 four month break when my son was small and having health issues, and 1 eight week matenity leave.
I've worked primarily for small family-owned, local businesses (restaurants, franchised hotels, bars) and about a decade in the non-profit sector. In virtually all of those businesses and non-profits I worked long hours, was subject to some pretty rough work environments, rarely had the tools I needed to get the job done, was poorly paid, frequently had no benefits/sick pay/paid vacation and frequently felt taken advantage of.
Almost 5 years ago I went to work for a fairly large, corporate, for-profit, publicly traded healthcare company....aka the business that many people like to paint as "the villain."
Where I work now I can confidently say that we make a significant difference in the health and well-being of large numbers of people. In fact, I hear from and about them regularly...with stories that can bring tears to your eyes.
As an employee, I have the tools I need to get my job done. I'm well paid. I have good benefits and generous time off. My partner gets the same health, dental and vision benefits that I do...including incentives to take care of her own health (free gym membership and cash incentives to work with a health coach, etc.)...and I can cover her son as well as my own.
My company has enforced policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual preference or gender identity....and has identical benefits for domestic partners that they do for legal spouses.
For the first time in my working life, I know that I am valued, appreciated and listened to. No, it's not perfect....but they work hard to make it a good place to work.
And, yes.....we turn a profit every year.
Now, I'm not foolish enough to say that every for-profit healthcare company is as good as mine....but they're not all as bad as they're made out to be either.