WOW - my beard got me escorted to my manager's office. I shaved, first time I've cried in 10 years. - Design Engineer PACCAR Employee Review

1.0
Feb 28, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They have a 5% 401K program (paid at the end of the year) They make a profit every quarter

Cons

Unpublished grooming code - actually a quibble that the CEO has against facial hair and his fearful minions falling over themselves to enforce the CEO's draconian anti-facial hair policy. Multiple people I've known for years got sent home to shave. Some resorted to getting medical or religious exemptions so they could return to work. Although these exemptions were accepted they are currently being reviewed by the PACCAR legal department, leaving great engineers in fear of termination. The company above all else values utter compliance with any request by the CEO, no matter how ill-conceived. For example: The KW division cafe got a remodel after the CEO got mustard on his tie getting salad. In 2010 the CEO banned employees from using the KW division cafe when senior management meetings were held there. The KW Renton plant cafe is closed except for very certain times because the CEO didn't like workers buying food except during scheduled breaks. ITD personnel have been told to keep formal dress cloths at their desks and to change into them when the front desk reports the CEO is visiting. The CEO could see PACCAR Corporate employees walking to a Starbucks, and banned them from going their outside of their lunch break. The CEO bans anyone from parking in the front row of parking lots.

Explore other reviews about PACCAR

5.0
May 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Wonderful internship experience. I truly enjoyed every aspect of the internship, from the people and team culture to the meaningful projects and great location. It was an incredibly positive learning experience, and I would highly recommend working there.

Cons

While the business professional dress code may not be for everyone, I personally didn’t mind it and felt it contributed to the professional environment.

1.0
Apr 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Not much, if you want a place that's okay with mediocrity, then welcome.

Cons

They blindly follow industry trends not industry standards. We have an initiative to use AI to increase productivity, without a proper plan, without security in mind and lack of general understanding. Consistently understaffed, for example there are teams or parts if teams that have max 4 developer type roles with 36 apps or APIs to support - this has lead to inconsistent code and effort as employees are spread too thin to be able to deliver quality work. Management refuses to take responsibility for issues that arise from being understaffed. Teams are not consistent in what tools and pipelines are used causing even more confusion and delays. Double standards: they don't want to properly promote or give raises to hard workers. Upper management made it clear to direct managers that "meets expectations" was a fine thing to give... To employees doing more than their fair share of work and are doing work outside of their role since they have no one else to do it do to being understaffed.

3
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