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Watlow Electric Manufacturing

Engaged Employer

Watlow Electric Manufacturing reviews

3.5

65% would recommend to a friend

(212 total reviews)
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Rob Gilmore

70% approve of CEO

52% positive business outlook

Watlow Electric Manufacturing has an employee rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, based on 212 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Watlow Electric Manufacturing employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Manufacturing industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

212 reviews
1.0
Jul 14, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It's a stable job, depending on your function. You'll get your 40 hours in, usually.

Cons

Job discredits individual skill sets Continuously drives regression forward vs. progression Extremely dismal levels of communication to be found. Upper management and the floor couldn't even begin to have a conversation because of the wildly huge gap between them in terms of what they're working on, how things are, etc. etc. Job is extremely unexciting. Nobody is going to college to work for some no-name company as small as watlow. In this digital age of technology, not a single person has heard of Watlow or is striving to make that company a career choice anymore. Good luck finding anyone these days that'll even attempt to work towards the 20 years or more milestones. Next to no opportunity to get promoted if you aren't "In" with specific people in the factory. Far too many individuals hold too much power and are able to discreetly promote, or shame (essentially), anyone that isn't within their interests. Watlow encourages a culture of both defensive and aggressive behaviors. They strive to make it where the employees shouldn't ever really talk to each other, where all sources of joy should come from HR and their stupid events they try to run all the time. They very aggressively try to push keeping issues staying confidential since they would hate for the truth to get out there on most topics. Secrets don't make friends and don't build loyalty. Can't have a creative mind or be a beacon of positive energy. You'll get dragged into HR more times than you'll be able to count and then you'll have to go through a barrage of nonsensical accusations and poorly thought out arguments against you while you have to defend yourself with nothing but your word. The one way aggressive behavior in HR needs to go. It's a cancer to the workforce. The moment you walk in, you're already guilty and you have to attempt to explain how you aren't. It's a joke that people can make some level of testimony against you and HR doesn't challenge them in the slightest, doesn't attempt to find out whether its true or not, and doesn't actually use real, verifiable evidence with any accusation they bring against you. It's truly a joke

1.0
Apr 4, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Company has acceptable benefits for employees who have been hired-on. There is room to grow if you have the motivation and drive. College courses provided at the worksite and paid for by the company, if you are studying in one of a few allowed degree programs and keep up your grades. Team members are a good bunch, most with the drive to do an excellent job and help each other succeed. Management is approachable and makes time for staff, as well as lead operators and trainers.

Cons

Many of the production cells are very repetitive, and ergonomically unsound for 8-10 hours daily of repeated actions. Complaints to this seem to fall on deaf ears. Far too much focus and concern is placed on per hour metrics. It seems that quantity over quality is the true priority for some cells. Huge disconnect between shifts. In some areas in comes across as daily opposition with blame going back and fourth. Management seems to avoid this and pass it off to lower leaders to handle. The Watlow culture called the " Watlow Way" has great direction and promise, but it appears the use is selective to individual advantage. There is a program called Enriching Lives, that is a terrible attempt at brain washing. The concept of molding to your company and its desires. Run by The Pacific Institute, this program is a total waste of time and money. Too much money is spent trying to paint this picture of a culture, yet it still feels very autocratic management wise. There is a saying at this Watlow location that if you do not like the job, leave. Well that has been happening in droves. If you love mandatory overtime you will love working here. For many departments and employees on all three shifts, there is a terrible work life balance. Retention of employees is a huge issue. We are losing good knowledgeable people to bad management decisions and unacceptable and unreasonable expectations. Hiring is through a temp agency and everyone starts that way except a few who are direct hires. There is no clear explanation of when the temps should expect to be hired on. They do not give many reasons for retention and loyalty before you re hired on, if you are even. There is a lot of turnover. Many play favorites, but many companies have this issue.

1.0
Sep 23, 2018

The circus is in town

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great opportunity for murderers, sex offenders, drug abusers, and other felons! All are welcome at Watlow

Cons

Where to start...Talk about few people knowing what is going on with the business? So much attrition...the quality of workers...HR is crooked and criminal.

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Watlow Electric Manufacturing Response
7y
As a team member, we want to hear and understand your concerns and therefore we encourage you to speak with your team leader directly, human resources or another leadership team member so we can create something better
Viewing 4 - 6 of 212 Reviews

Glassdoor has 323 Watlow Electric Manufacturing reviews submitted anonymously by Watlow Electric Manufacturing employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Watlow Electric Manufacturing is right for you.