No direction, they don’t care about your family - Manufacturing Technician FORMS + SURFACES Employee Review

1.0
Aug 29, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most of the coworkers are good people. A handful of good managers that are the exception rather than the rule. A majority of the managers in all the Pittsburgh branches were too egotistical, especially the higher up you go.

Cons

-Unrealistic forced overtime. Some people have families and want to actually be able to make it to their kids sporting events. -Generally poor managers. Some were great, but most were awful, especially with higher levels of seniority. -Expectation to be willing to move around from building to building or shift to shift all on upper management’s whim.

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FORMS + SURFACES Response
7y
Your comments are certainly respected and appreciated. Yes OT can be an issue at times due to the busy nature of our business and the heavy workload (which is a good thing) that we have. It is not always easy to find quality talent in this day and age! OT is never demanded without proper notice and we try and go the volunteer route at first before it is mandated. We are always open for suggestions on improving this issue. F+S constantly is reviewing the communication channels and providing management training to bolster the effectiveness of the management staff.

Explore other reviews about FORMS + SURFACES

5.0
Feb 13, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

US-based manufacturer of architectural finishes, systems, and outdoor furnishings. Beautiful products and good management. Straightforward and high yielding commission structure.

Cons

Managers have very strong personalities. Yearly raises would be nice.

3.0
Apr 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Steady hours, reasonable starting wages and benefits. Reasonable on the job training for inexperienced welders finishers and material handlers.

Cons

Toxic culture in upper management with a don't rock the boat mentality. Little to no upward mobility. Little emphasis on safety until someone is injured and they may be subject to liability. They will fire people for voicing legitimate safety concerns. Raises are nonnegotiable and would never exceed 2%.

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FORMS + SURFACES Response
2mo
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear you found value in the steady hours, benefits, and the opportunity to gain experience in manufacturing. Creating an environment where employees across all departments—production, maintenance, engineering, and support roles—can learn and grow is a key priority for us. We also take your concerns seriously. Safety is a core focus, and we are continuously working to strengthen our safety culture. This includes regular training, open reporting channels, and a safety incentive program designed to encourage proactive identification and resolution of potential hazards. Our goal is to ensure every employee feels comfortable raising concerns and contributing to a safe workplace. In terms of career growth, we have developed technical and professional career ladders that provide clear pathways for advancement across a wide range of roles within the company. These ladders are designed to recognize skill development, certifications, and performance, while offering employees greater visibility into long-term career opportunities and provides the data to provide merit-based raises. We understand that workplace culture and communication are critical, and we are actively working to improve transparency, leadership engagement, and consistency in how policies are applied. We would also like to clarify that our company does not penalize employees for using approved PTO. We encourage employees to use their earned time off and are committed to administering our policies fairly and consistently. We appreciate you sharing your perspective and will take your feedback into consideration as we continue to evaluate and strengthen our workplace practices. We wish you success in your future endeavors.
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