Pros
The reason you would work for HHS is the same reason you'll get trapped there -- compensation. They pay well, and being a big company, have the golden package of benefits, vacation and trimmings that probably only the federal government can top. But soon you will find out how that very perk causes the critical flaws of the company.
Cons
HHS is a Frankenchild of many amalgamations. It is a company that is just as split in culture silos as it is physically separated. Departments often work against each other rather than with each other, because for the most part they never interact. Resources are wasted and duplicated, depending on the preference of those at the helm. Speaking of those at the helm, be prepared to worship doctors as gods. They know all (clearly those designations should tell you that), and they are not afraid to micromanage, yet dodge any criticism as they wield their corporate independence like some kind of immunity totem. If you're not at their level, they'll tell you what to do. I've seen one too many admin assistants who have to bow down to even the most ridiculous requests and scrutiny. It's a narcissistic feast. Docs aren't the only one ego-tripping, HHS culture thrives off ego. There isn't a day that goes by where you won't hear from esteemed "Leaders" and "Chiefs" though granted you've probably yet to speak to one in a real conversation. Researchers, docs, execs, directors, they get their pats on the back. But hardened frontliners and the tireless 13,000 employees -- the worn cogs of the great Frankenchild-droid -- are constantly put in their place. You might get a cute recognition certificate if you're lucky, a cheap pin after ten years, or a tea once in a while, but for anyone to know who you are (or more unthinkable yet, actually believe in keeping you and encouraging your growth), forget it. The good mid- and high- tier jobs are going to go to some seasoned outsider Torontonian that will make their hiring manager look good. That's best case scenario. Worse case scenario it goes to the obvious "kid/relative of some higher-ups" who are bound to make you renounce your humanity as they're vaulted full pay brackets past where you'll ever be. This isn't an exaggeration, just watch to see who gets hired for summer students, probably your Manager's kid. So, after all these craptacular realizations come to light for the average employee, what happens? Well, they stay. They stay because they now live in a nice 'burb with a nice car and a newly acquired mortgage, and then there's those 5 weeks of vacay, maybe we'll just dawdle until retirement? And that sentiment describes anyone between 40-60 in HHS -- "just pass the days, lay low, things will never change, let's continue our inefficient ways, let's not speak up about our gripes, only such-and-such years til retirement but I'll hang around even longer to collect my dues." This poisoned fever takes hold of anyone that's there long enough and has drank the sweet nectar of stable income. Either that or they grind their way to power and become the very overlords themselves, knowing every insider trick to get their way. But for those of us who like having a soul, being positively challenged, and being shown respect, the idea of the mindless grind is a premonition of a dissatisfying career that will erode the remainder of your adult years. Chip, chip. What sucks is that HHS has all the potential of being a good company. There are some decent initiatives, and some departments are run better than others. But the grand girth of the company, the complacency and lack of accountability for freeloaders and self-serving opportunists, and the constant influx of employees from outside Hamilton has made the company feel anything but real, human or local - let alone a "family" of hospitals. People here watch their own backs, at the expense of others.
