Sudden Departure

It was a small surprise yesterday when we lost our janitor. One minute he was happily whistling while he worked. Then a little later he showed up at the office with his bags. He turned in his keys, and left without explanation.

And later that morning a long-term manager had a meltdown and quit – saying the job had become too stressful.

Our employees frequently quit because one constant in halfway house management is employee burnout.  

This is a job we do for one reason:  to help others into recovery. If one has other motives the job seems to wear us down more quickly.

That’s because working for TLC offers little in the way of compensation or benefits.

A constant stream of angry and needy residents is emotionally draining.

The hours are long for managers who live on property because they're always on the job.

The real payoff comes when we see our efforts make a different in someone’s life. In the 12-step programs we learn that carrying the message will help us remain sober.

Working at TLC is one way to carry that message.