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Colonial Pipeline

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Very Poorly Managed - Operations Colonial Pipeline Employee Review

1.0
Oct 1, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I've worked at Colonial Pipeline for over 15 years. It is a very stable company and once you become an employee, it's very difficult to lose your job. That is pretty much the only positive feedback I can share.

Cons

Over the years, I watch Colonial establish the worst team of managers and leaders I've ever been associated with in my life. As I said, it's very difficult to lose a job at Colonial. This can be good, but it can also be very bad. Colonial tends to recycle losers and duds. Especially in terms of managers. If an employee is a poor performer, the company tends to find something else for them to do rather than fire them. Then they just perform poorly in some other role. I've never agreed with this policy and feel a company should get rid of dead weight. Colonial employs a lot of people who are just lazy. The field technicians are the absolute worst! When equipment fails, the Technicians always do everything possible to avoid repairs on nights and weekends leaving a never ending trail of workarounds. When I first started with the company, equipment was repaired when it failed. Now, if equipment fails at night or on a weekend, the first thing a Technician will ask is how long can they wait to make repairs. This problem has just gotten worse over the years as all of the really good Technicians have retired or moved on. This evolution has taken place because management has allowed it. One thing you hear a lot at Colonial is reference to the fact that the company is best in class. You would expect them to therefore pay best close. This is not the case. You can EASILY find a better paying job in this field if you are willing to try. The only thing that has kept me with the company is family. The company also likes to think safety is the number one goal. It sounds good to the board and government regulators. However, Colonial is very, very, very profit driven. I've felt for some time that profit is much more important to the company than safety. I'm a very hard working person with great integrity and meticulous work habits. I could not put into words how very underappreciated I have felt for many years now.

Explore other reviews about Colonial Pipeline

5.0
Apr 4, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great culture and Great benefits,

Cons

Some processes can be inconsistent

3.0
Apr 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company offers decent pay, good 401k matching, and a nice bonus structure, The corporate office is nice, and the vast majority of rank-and-file employees there are friendly folks who are passionate about the work they do. Day-to-day work is a steady pace while allowing breathing room to dash out of the office for a quick lunch or errand.

Cons

The acquisition by private equity has turned the company on its head. Management seems to constantly be threatening more cuts at all times- a mentality shared by the top that seems to trickle down to frontline managers. There is a squeeze for work, and people will pass the blame on any blunders, no matter how small, to save themselves. Additionally, any talk of strong job trajectory or upward growth has shown little proof; the only way to get properly moved around is to know the right folks higher up in the hierarchy. The best recommendation is to wait until the company is sold during the next acquisition and reevaluate from there.

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