The Substance Abuse Specialist is Underpaid/Overworked Relative to the Mental Health Professional - Substance Abuse Specialist Merakey Employee Review

2.0
Jun 14, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Access to a printer/copier/scanner/fax machine. Free food from drug representatives on occasion. Most of the co-workers are decent people who try to help others. A modicum of independence when traveling. A laptop computer for work. The company is growing (more clients are receiving services and new positions are being created).

Cons

Being required to perform duties outside and beyond the scope of one's position (as per the job description) without negotiation or adequate compensation. Being required to perform duties and carry a workload nearly identical to another position while being paid significantly less than that other position. Being required to transport clients with urinary and fecal incontinence in one's personal vehicle. Bad odors from clients that linger in rooms, halls, and one's personal vehicle. Risky, and sometimes dangerous, work environments in clients' communities. Immediate supervisors who care little, if anything, about one's personal safety. Management who cares more about quantity (the amount of clients seen) than quality (what was accomplished with the clients seen). Constant and ever-worsening IT problems that make one's job duties that much harder and take that much longer to perform.

Explore other reviews about Merakey

5.0
Apr 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Company and I love individuals we serve

Cons

More exposure in job fairs and hiring events. getting our company name out there with more social media advertising

1.0
Dec 16, 2025
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The mission of the organization is meaningful, and hiring managers genuinely value quality candidates and strong placements. The work can be rewarding when the focus is on making thoughtful hires that truly support vulnerable individuals. Team members care deeply about doing the right thing and producing strong, long-term results.

Cons

Under new management, recruiting has shifted to a numbers-driven model where metrics far outweigh quality, outcomes, and human impact. Recruiters are now responsible for interviewing and decision-making while simultaneously being held to significantly higher, rigid goals that do not account for location based candidate flow or program differences. Time is spent submitting phone screens and documenting nonviable candidates purely to satisfy metrics instead of actively sourcing strong applicants. Being discouraged from cherry-picking candidates, despite hiring for roles supporting vulnerable populations is concerning and demoralizing. This approach reduces efficiency, negatively impacts candidate experience, and has contributed to burnout and low morale. The system feels misaligned with the mission and set up for failure.

4
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