Pros
-Flexible hours -Chance of downtime with low patron volume times -Minimal patron interaction in comparison to other gym and/or pool employees -Sense of importance to patron safety and gym customer satisfaction -Certification courses offered annually -Understanding of student (high school and college) schedules -Local managers try their best to respect individual employee schedules and manage last minute shift changes; In doing so they will often take personal action and guard pools themselves when needed
Cons
-Unreliable coworkers and variable shift times due to tardiness of relieving guard(s) -Poor Maintenance responsiveness, organization, and quality; Many instances in which lifeguards are left to close pools due to irreparable chemical range issues or faulty equipment/machinery -Minimal/No breaks or lunches -Patron attitudes can be hard to manage at times, especially when managing secondary (or tertiary) problems already -Unresponsiveness of Maintenance and/or upper management about pertinent issues -No raise/promotion/upward movement opportunities within the company -Favoritism between guards and employee staff as well as pool locations, mostly due to whichever locations earn the company the most money -Poor communication between employees and higher ups -General mistrust amongst coworkers and no accountability when something is done incorrectly; Problems snowball into the next guard's shift without notice or consideration for others -Poorly kept pool facilities -Combative and/or Arrogant patrons on occasions -Some upper management are socially unaware and can be seriously out of line with comments and occasional actions, especially when considering workplace and power dynamics between themselves and their employees -Understaffed constantly at various locations
