In June the CEO (Michael Cartwright) met with the employees at our quarterly award meeting. I actually received an award and got my pay cut by 50-60% during this meeting! True story. At the meeting, the CEO informed us that we would not be paid commission anymore. Instead, he said that we would be paid a quartely bonus of $5000-15,000.
Because commission makes up 50-60% of our pay, this meant we would have to work for less than half our normal wages. As employees, we believed in the CEO (Michael Cartwright). We believed that he would keep his word. So, we worked and struggled for 3 1/2 months on 50-60% less money believing we would make up for it with a quarterly bonus.. At this meeting we were also told that we would know the bonus metrics the following week. Week after week we were lied to, manipulated, and put off with numerous excuses. It was always, “We’re working on it. It will be out soon.” This continued for months.
The quarter ran from July-Sept. During the first week of last week of September and the first week of October, we were told by management that we would be getting our bonus check on October 25. On October 12, we were called to another meeting where we were told there would be no bonus.
It was horrific. Christmas is in 2 months! Most of us exhausted our savings over the past 3 months. I have worked for 3 Fortune 500 companies. I have never witnessed anything so dishonest in my entire career. Many employees our losing homes due to the economic hardship and the promise to pay if they weathered the quarter. It has caused a great deal of personal and marital problems among employees.
American Addiction Centers employs recovering addicts in these positions as they can connect with other addicts and have high close rates. Many of these recovering addicts have 2-10 years clean. I know of 2 that have relapsed over the stress of this experience.
The CEO (Michael Cartwright is dishonest. He is manipulative. He operates wit cowardice. He is a bully. He is unethical. He was paid $1.3 million in 2017. $300,000 of it was in the form of bonuses. However, he finds it ok to lie to his employees over their bonuses. Meanwhile, he masqueraded as a person “In Recovery.” He has us push his book “Believable Hope” to potential clients. I can personally no longer do this. He does not embody any of the principles found in AA, NA, etc.
I strongly disagree with the principles, ethics, and manner in which American Addiction Centers operates. I am ashamed to have worked here. I would strongly suggest that anyone thinking of working here do their research. If you choose to interview with this company, bring up the topics you will find in multiple online employee reviews during the interview. Watch the reaction of the interviewing manager. You will know the truth.
