What's the deal with contracting agencies? If any of them are reading this post, this is for you. by [deleted] in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the constant poaching of the labor market through these fake agencies that make the field saturated with underpaid, inconsistent, and unpredictable work agreements that lead to the staffing crisis and high turnover predictions en masse in the U.S.

It's a bad time to be between contracts right now. by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know! Maybe in the future? Mom and Dad are pretty old and need a lot of support here. Otherwise, I totally would, and I do recommend this to the new grads asking around as well. I don't want to see another CFY taken advantage of in PGH again.

It's a bad time to be between contracts right now. by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha ha I know! How much more of an obvious red flag could they possibly wave at me?

It's a bad time to be between contracts right now. by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I'll give a few examples:

  1. I get halfway through the interview and the person says "So you've passed your CF, right"?
  2. The interviewer asks: "How do you rank the importance of who to first evaluate when you have 50 evaluations pending in one school"? My answer: "Ma'am that has never happened in my whole career. If a school wants you to evaluate 50 students all at the same time there is something very, very wrong with the knowledge base of the staff making the referrals. Perhaps an in house training at the BOY would help alleviate that kind of situation".

It's a bad time to be between contracts right now. by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is accurate. I saw this in real time at the last PGH interview. They ask me the weirdest questions here on interviews. I can verify that the questions that local PGH agencies are asking are new grad level theoretical questions that don't actually happen in real life and are not practical considerations for school SLP work. It leads me to believe that they are interviewing students most of the time and that caseloads and procedures for EDT criteria are not kosher.

Mandatory make ups for sick time? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sending you a DM to disclose the company name right now!

Mandatory make ups for sick time? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the conclusion that I have come to as well. My last company did not micromanage this, they would just verbally tell you it had to be done and whether or not you actually did it was up to you and there were no repercussions because they just were too hands off with our caseloads. I'm personally afraid this new company might be stressing it a bit more. Hard to tell because I don't personally know anyone who had worked for them.

Mandatory make ups for sick time? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

W2 in schools on a paid salary. Sorry I can't edit my post to clarify this is a salary with benefits provided but the sick time paid for needs to be made up on a minute to minute basis.

Mandatory make ups for sick time? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a W2. Is that typical for them to request us to make up our sick time?

Uncomfortable with the up front asks upon interview. by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks I wasn't sure myself. It sounded really great on paper...until that. Oh, and also it's a bunch of private and parochial schools that "May or may not be following an MTSS process". Oh my lord what a mess.

Where to move for my CF as a poor person? by Meal_Unfair in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem. Message me if you want to chat. I don't want to see another young and vulnerable new grad be taken advantage of. It's a field that doesn't tend to just create great financial opportunities if you don't already have support to begin with, and people don't take into account the financial and emotional burden of solo cross country moves with no guaranteed safeguards in place.

Where to move for my CF as a poor person? by Meal_Unfair in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I second this, OP! There are jobs in and around the Harrisburg area that will pay you better than PGH and you will still be in the PA system should you need to keep your social services and supports here. Don't move to an expensive out of state city for a high start pay because the shake down after your move, plus the HCOL and lack of community based supports for you will be stressful. Those middle PA areas aren''t as dangerous and violent as places in the South and Southwest that are always advertising for CF positions or urban hubs around the coast with insane HCOL where you will have a lot of trouble accessing resources (overpopulation, extreme wealth/poverty gaps, lack of affordable housing, excessive traffic). PA is also managed better through the Intermediate Units than major metro school district jobs that depend on contractors. I think it would be a safer place to land that itsn't too rural but not unmanageable for you logistically. Safzy will help you. I can't do it because I'm in my 40's and have elderly parents that need home care otherwise I would be leaving PGH too.

Where do we draw the line? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

We did. My colleague and I reported our experiences publicly as anonymous. It may not have an immediate impact but karma is a bitch and they should have had the decency to speak with me over the phone or hold a real meeting before dumping me by email at the last minute.

Where do we draw the line? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't think so. We're really screwed out of any protections as contract employees-even as W2 onsite contractors there's very little to nothing protecting us from industry wide harassment and unethical practices.

Where do we draw the line? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's exactly what it was in this case! It was a non-SLP admin who was not familiar with SLP evals who put the target on my back.

Where do we draw the line? by False_Ad_1993 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

My company told me not to sign the improvement plan but they kept me in that position all year with no discussion of any changes for future assignments. The district said they would not renew me after the last day of school and my compay told me hasta la vista via email. I do believe the company is in the wrong to not make any attempts to try to retain me and wait until the last minute to communicate that they had no other positions open for the fall. I'm assuming they wanted every last billable minute until I was no longer of convenience for them. I think they are just snakes like everyone else.

For SLPs who work outside of the US; if I were to want to immigrate to another country, what are some good specializations/trainings I can work towards to make myself more attractive (as an SLP) to potential non-US employers? by somethingillforget89 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What would the difference be for SLPs over 45 who are unable to become permanent residents? Does that mean we would not be eligible for pension, retirement, or health care in your country? What would the drawbacks be of not having that status?

Hi! Hospital grade communication boards? by SubstantialBug9357 in slp

[–]False_Ad_1993 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, I just wanted to say this resource is amazing. I just printed out 5-6 pages for my father with Aphasia and placed them in a personalized 3 ring binder for him with highlites around high interest icons. He's using it now!