Pros
- Can develop into other roles but if you're 'liked' by Managers, nothing to do with the skills you may have just who you know. -Maternity - Pension
Cons
-OSG's are required to work every other weekend and do night shifts every 5-6 weeks which is much more than the 17% of unsocial hours given through pay. - During nights, depending on the wing you're on, you are alone with approx 180-283 residents on your own (there is no one on the wing with you) and have to watch the vulnerable residents, depending on the individual/s (can be every half an hour, hour, two, 3-5x etc) (PLEASE KEEP IN MIND YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR 77 HOURS STRAIGHT THROUGH WITH NO RELIEFS OR BREAKS- 7 days in a row every 5-6 weeks) Just to let you know, you are to blame when something goes wrong despite being the only individual with no assistance as there is no COUNTER SIGNATURE when signing for the roll, just yours which is bizarre .......only a pair of eyes determining the life of 180-283 residents . Every workplace I have worked at, working with vulnerable individual of all backgrounds require MINIMUM of two signatures as peoples lives are in your hands and that was watching no more than 15 people with similar needs to the residents here. Even though you have a rest week after, your body does not get back to normal for about 3/4 days after your night set. - You could possibly ask for help but be prepared to receive a sarcastic response and to be told 'its your job' or be questioned on your capabilities which makes you feel so small for attempting to do the right thing. this puts off a lot of staff from asking for help during nights because you feel really rubbish from some of responses you will receive. -Staff 'rumours' occurs 24/7 in these types of environments, a lot of groups, looked down upon by others.