Pros
My co-workers were, by and large, some of the nicest people I have worked with.... they're just stuck in a company that doesn't value them or their talents.
Cons
Everything. After working for this company for more than three years, I can honestly say that I had very few good days with this company. They are simply put, abusive to their employees. Most employees who leave this company are suffering a degree of post-traumatic stress disorder. Let's first start with the facilities themselves.... dirty, unhygienic, disgusting, and cheap. Management refuses to pay a real janitor to clean. Office staff is expected to clean the lobby, sales area, and bathroom for customers. Warehouse staff is expected to clean the bathroom and lunch room. The lunch room is so disgusting, that most people eat in their vehicle instead. Communication: Communication is not only lacking from top down, it's non-existant. Management goes out of their way to avoid communicating ANYTHING to employees other than criticism. They do not want employees to know or understand what direction they are attempting to take the company in. They want you to never talk to eachother, and if you do, a culture of suspicion will have you out the door faster than you can say Blade-Tech. The owners are paranoid. They actively discourage employees from talking to eachother. Communication between the warehouse and office is hit and miss, largely in part due to so much turn over. Things are communicated by lower level employees, but don't get passed on when employee turnover happens. Management does not have a clear process for communication between these two critical areas. It's expected you write a note on a physical order or print on a specific color paper. The customization that used to be why people loved blade-tech, has been wiped out by the need for automation. Pay/Benefits: Don't excpect to get regular raises if at all. There are people who haven't gotten raises in years. If you do get a raise, then it puts you immediately on the chopping block to be replaced with a newer cheaper set of hands willing to do the work. There are no benefits. When I started, we had benefits. All of them have been systematically cut and taken away to maximize profits for the owners. The company is even moving out of state to pay cheaper labor costs to further increase their profit. Loyalty means nothing. This company was once run in a very different way, where employees had been with the company for more than 10 years. After the founder handed the company over to his son, the son decided to try to make more money by bringing in a new board member that did not care about the people or the reputation of the company, only about profits. They have destroyed the legacy this company was built on. Employees have been let go for being too innovative, too smart, or for pointing out when a system is not working or broken. They hire their friends and relatives (and people from their church) who aren't qualified and keep people who are not doing a good job. The new owner outsourced everything from HR and Payroll, to IT, to cut down on office staff and eliminate the number of people that can hear what is said upstairs by management. They cut every corner they possibly can just to squeeze out the most profit they can. Management prides itself on not just being unkind, but being outright cruel. There is a culture of blame. Whenever something inevitably happens (of course it will, with a lack of leadership and communication), they are on the hunt for who to blame and put on the chopping block. Management will NEVER take responsibility for their impact on the operation of the organization. Worklife balance does not exist at Blade-Tech. You are expected to not have a life outside of Blade-Tech. New baby? Work during maternity/paternity leave. Major health condition? Take the time you need, but you'll be let go when all is said and done. Managing a chronic health condition? Better not need to go to the doctor during the day. Have kids? Make sure you have someone else that can care for them if and when they get sick. When shot show comes around, anticipate that you'll work double the hours and get nothing but headaches and blame. It is expected that you are nothing more than a worker bee. Lay low, keep your mouth shut, don't ask for anything, and don't screw up.
