Compensation does not correlate fairly with the demands and risks of the job, especially among drivers and plant staff. As such, we have a high degree of turnover (that is, if the positions get refilled at all), which creates ongoing challenges for everyone involved, both for employees and for our customers. (These challenges are things such as frequent mistakes that occur as part of the learning process with new staff, or not being able to service customers on time due to driver shortages, for example).
While we struggle to keep positions filled at the plant level, it seems that miscellaneous/new positions and promotions are created and filled in a far more timely manner at the corporate level. Employees in the plant, who directly impact our customers, are absolutely necessary before certain positions at the support office level. (*Note: retention is NOT related to local plant management. We have a very supportive manager.)
Communication is poor, and there is definitely a disconnect between the support office and the plants. To fully support your plant teams, it is necessary to understand the full cycle of our customer service process, which seems to be a missing piece for several who are supposed to support our operations from Chicago. Often, critical customer information is missing from service requests or sometimes there seems to be a lack of knowledge of what our products/services are like. I suppose it may be too abstract if not working hands-on with the containers. But, if so, then it would be highly beneficial to spend more time in a plant, more than just a one-time tour and brief overview. Honestly, I think dispersing support office staff among the various plant locations could have a huge positive impact by connecting those individuals to the direct operations.
On the topic of the support office, the *perception* is that there is plenty of fun and games to be had, with extra holiday days off, and miscellaneous activities (for fun, bonding, team building, etc, I'm not sure). It seems unfair when your hardest working people - those who are directly handling the product and servicing customers - are continuing to work on holidays with no added perks. I think the support office means well, but the way those employees are taken care of and the way plant employees are taken care of is not at all in balance.
In addition, I came into this position under the impression that there would be room for growth. At least at the plant level, such opportunities seem to be limited/nonexistent. As such, I do not see this as a job with much longevity.
I regret to say that I could not, in sound conscience, recommend Daniels as a place of employment, unless you have the privilege of working at the corporate level.
