The overall culture, especially in the Florida region, is extremely toxic and rooted in favoritism. There is no accountability, friends and family are hired, promoted, or transferred despite poor performance, while others are held to an entirely different standard. Bribes are common, with certain employees receiving gift cards, free days off, moving expenses, or extra time to move, higher rate of pay or discounts while others receive nothing. Even employees who consistently underperform are allowed to maintain employment and are often transferred to new sites, where the same issues repeat themselves.
Workplace problems such as fraternization, theft, and even drug use are ignored as long as you are in the “in crowd.” The pay structure and employee discounts are not fair and are based on favoritism. Fair housing laws are disregarded, and decisions are made arbitrarily with no consistency or reasoning.
Hiring practices are also highly questionable. People with no experience are brought in, and the regional manager actively “beefs up” their résumés to make them appear qualified. New hires are often chosen based on their looks rather than their knowledge or skills, so if you are overweight or a certain color, your chances are slim. Social media is reviewed for your looks before hiring and appears to be a standard practice. The regional openly tells employees to keep quiet about anything that goes against normal standards and claims it is acceptable because of her close friendship with the CFO.
The regional leadership fuels this environment—rarely showing up to sites, not answering calls or emails, and being unavailable most of the time while “working” from home. Instead of supporting employees, she gossips from site to site, creating a high school–like atmosphere where backbiting is encouraged. If you do not go along with this culture, you are labeled the problem.
