support worker

service coordinator

learning and development specialist

fitness instructor

driver

Circle of Care, Sinai Health

I strongly advise anyone considering a role here to reconsider. This company is plagued by internal issues that create a toxic work environment and offer very little opportunity for growth.

Cons:
Nepotism and Favoritism: The leadership team, including CEO, HR, finance, directors, VPs, are all folk's who came from the same previous company leading to a culture of nepotism and fovortism. Opportunities are given based on who you know. Not merit based.

Underqualified Management: Many of the managers and directors are underqualified and do not possess the necessary skills to effectively lead teams. They are often unavailable, fail to provide the needed support, and, at times, are found sleeping, shopping, or engaging in other unprofessional activities during working hours. This leaves staff struggling to manage their heavy workloads on their own.

Unequal Caseloads: Staff in the same role are given unequal caseloads, with some handling a manageable number of clients while others are burdened with far more. This leads to unfair expectations and makes it very difficult to meet performance targets

Unrealistic Expectations: Staff are expected to meet unrealistic targets, despite the heavy caseloads and the additional tasks that come with the role. These demands create a highly stressful environment and make it nearly impossible to meet performance goals without sacrificing quality of care.

Inconsistent and Low Pay: Pay is below industry standards, and the company lacks transparency about compensation. Staff are expected to work under extremely demanding conditions, but the salary does not reflect the workload. There is also no transperancy reagarding salary scales for each role.

No Room for Advancement: There is no clear path for advancement within the company. Many leadership roles are filled by individuals from the inner circle or external candidates, leaving little room for current employees to grow. Career development is almost nonexistent, and promotions are based on personal connections rather than merit.

Toxic Culture: The company’s culture is extremely toxic and immature. Employees are constantly threatened with termination if they don’t meet impossible targets, creating an environment of fear and stress. If you have concerns or want to make a complaint, there’s no space for it. Management doesn't listen, and voicing your opinion often leads to negative consequences. There is also an overwhelming sense of childish behavior from the leadership, where the focus is more on controlling employees than offering support.

Lack of Support for Leaves: When you need to take a leave, the company turns it against you. They treat it as a performance issue, pressuring you to leave the company. There is no understanding or accommodation for personal needs or health, and it only adds to the stress and pressure to perform under impossible conditions.

Constant Changes Without Communication: The company frequently changes policies, job descriptions, and performance expectations without informing employees or providing any clear guidance. These constant shifts lead to confusion and frustration, leaving employees to deal with new requirements on their own 

Endless Workload: The work at this company is never-ending. Staff are expected to juggle too many tasks at once. The workload is constantly overwhelming, and there's never enough time to get everything done. The lack of support from management makes this even harder.

In conclusion, if you value your career, work-life balance, and fair treatment, this company is not the place for you. The leadership is unqualified, the work environment is toxic, and there is no support for employees. The lack of transparency, coupled with the overwhelming workload, unrealistic expectations, and nepotism, makes this a place where employees are set up to fail. I strongly recommend looking elsewhere if you want to be treated with respect and have room for growth.

Circle of Care was an amazing breath of fresh air for me regarding attitude and work culture. Work can be stressful and hectic, requiring you to stay past your "end of day". Not the kind of job you can jump up at 4 and leave because your time is up. The elderly are relying on you and your PSWs for their basic needs. That being said, everyone was always super friendly and helpful. We all know there are cliques in offices, but this office seemed to be less so. Management is very approachable and willing to assist. The CEO is right there in the office with you and you really feel included in what is going on with the company and the Sinai Health Systems which Circle of Care is a part of.
There are ample opportunities for learning. Many "Lunch and Learn" topics including healthy diet, Alzheimer's, and customer service, also special opportunities such as the Holocaust Awareness presentations and DISC profiles.
My critique regarding Circle of Care is mainly focused on their call centre. I feel that their call centre needs a major revamp/overhaul to facilitate smooth customer service and workflow to aid clients, families and PSWs getting the information they need, as well as call answer times, without bogging down coordinators with unnecessary calls.
The most difficult part of the job is trying to balance people and the issues that come with them. Such as: Clients, their wants and needs, their preferences for certain workers who are usually not available when they want/need them. Client Families, with their expectations, requests and issues. And finally the PSWs with their own family lives and issues, some individuals are your life savers, while others are a royal pain in your side, are unreliable and cause you more work.
The most enjoyable part of the job is when you are able to help a client  and are able to give them what they want/need. Also, the office staff become your friends and it's just a great place to go to every day.
I was sad to leave, but a new chapter in my life is about to begin.

Typical day is very busy in the mornings dealing with the schedule of all the workers who booked off and managing their clients. Lots of phone calls to PSWs, clients and family members. 

I learned that I do not like answering the phone, or saying "No" to people, especially the elderly clients and their families. 
Management was nice, but not very understanding about workload and work life balance. Coordinator caseloads were not evenly distributed with many coordinators working well past the 8 hour mark, or logged in from home for several hours just to manage their caseload causing management to believe that caseloads were manageable. When the idea of restructuring the caseloads came, a focus group was created and solutions were assessed and presented to the board. As a result of the focus group, and the work they put in, nothing was changed which was very disappointing. 
Workplace culture wasn't too bad, a bit cliquey, but company wide events took place such as Mat leave parties/cake, staff appreciation, lunch and learn, perks around the (Jewish) High Holidays.

Hardest part of the job was the stress and work-life balance. For me, also not being able to give my clients the workers or scheduled time they wanted. 
Most enjoyable part of the job was when you were able to get a schedule set up and in place for a client and their family and everyone was happy with the services. Intake of clients was also very enjoyable.

At Circle of Care, the work environment has shifted away from care and towards bureaucracy .

Leadership decisions increasingly appear disconnected from frontline realities. Many processes and expectations suggest a lack of practical experience in client facing work, resulting in policies that prioritize metrics and optics over effectiveness, sustainability, and care quality. The absence of professional, experienced leadership is evident in how workload pressures are minimized, normalized, or ignored.

The lack of empathy for frontline strain has led to declining morale, persistent stress, and a growing sense that those closest to clients are the most undervalued.

Non client facing departments and administrative layers have continued to grow, while client facing roles have seen little to no meaningful increase in staffing, support, or workload.

The cumulative impact on employees has been severe, with widespread burnout and emotional exhaustion. For professionals who genuinely want to focus on client centred work and make a real difference, this environment is neither supportive nor sustainable.

Staff have repeatedly raised workload concerns, Leadership is slow to invest in front line staff but quick to add administrative demands, increasing strain in an already stretched system.
 
I would not recommend Circle of Care to individuals seeking meaningful workplace that values care over bureaucracy. 

I feel compelled to share my experience working at Circle of Care, as it was quite disappointing and frustrating.

1. Severe Understaffing: The organization is critically understaffed, which puts an overwhelming burden on employees. It felt like there was a constant scramble to manage tasks with insufficient help.
I worked closely with coordinators who seemed more focused on talking than on actually coordinating or solving problems. This lack of effective action made the work environment very frustrating.

2.Management Issues: The management at Circle of Care seems more interested in squeezing as much work as possible out of employees and summer students while paying barely above minimum wage. The compensation does not match the demands or responsibilities of the job.

3. Unclear Job Descriptions: If you land a receptionist or admin assistant position, be prepared to take on a multitude of tasks that are not listed in the job description and communicated upfront.

4. Poor HR Judgment: The HR department's judgment is questionable. One of the ladies who interviewed me was notably unprofessional, which set a troubling tone for the rest of the experience.

Overall, my time at Circle of Care was marked by frustration and dissatisfaction. If you're considering working here, I would advise caution and thorough research. 


Typical day of work began with opening computer checking schedule, checking phone messages and calling back. 
Dealing with an emergencies situations / last minute changes in schedules of employees and clients. Dealing with replacement of workers to clients. Rescheduling services, and cancellations. Assigning workers for their training updates, connecting Supervisor with workers via conference calls.Confirming services with clients. Processing referrals from CCAC to agency. On  the Call Center answering the phones and responding immediately to urgent calls, critical decision making.  Communicating with staff, management and coworkers in order to provide services for clients of the agency.Team work. Managing all day long Case load of clients services.

During the interview the job is not presented correctly, you are also being misled that you will work 2 evenings and 1 weekend per 5 week pay period- but that is subject to interpretation apparently, as by month 6 working there I was scheduled 6 times per 5 week pay period without asking, simply was told! NOT cool! Place with high turnover, as work ethics are terrible, no support from upper management and lower management has no voice in this organization. High stress job, you're constantly being yelled at by unhappy customers, very very tight deadlines to complete your work, super high expectations but you get nothing in return. Not worth the time to invest in this place. Look elsewhere.

Circle of Care offers no real advancement opportunities. Job Positings are rarely posted and are instead handed to predetermined individuals  through favoritism.

 As the saying goes, the path to success is paved for the  few chosen friends, while the rest walk in circles.

Leadership not only allows but actively enforces these unfair practices, which have only increased. Fair and equal opportunity simply does not exist here. 

Recognition and respect is reserved exclusively for the inner circle. Employees who go above and beyond are rarely acknowledged, if you are not part of the favored group, you are treated as “just a worker who is replaceable"

There are no meaningful perks or  sense of belonging at circle of care.

Every day is different and things can change quickly. You will work with great team members always willing to help or lend an ear to listen. The culture is welcoming, friendly and inclusive. Work life balance is important, although some roles may require more time commitment and adherence to deadlines and short timelines than others. So many opportunities to learn and grow, like mental health and wellness webinars etc. opportunities to volunteer with clients like meals on wheels. Transparent, approachable leadership team. The company is growing and always moving forward. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The staff. Some of the staff are amazing and would teach you how to professionally complete your daily task. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The job is stressful. When staff cancel for a day you are left with other people to do list. Clients canceling their visits and rescheduling when they like. Shortage of PSWs

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Tedious and fast paced working environment

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Various shifts. Rotational shifts. Team meetings.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Support worker 5 salaries reported	$20.87 per hour
Service coordinator 2 salaries reported	$52,750 per year
Learning and development specialist 2 salaries reported	$70,750 per year
Fitness instructor 2 salaries reported	$24.00 per hour
Driver 2 salaries reported	$19.44 per hour

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