Seek employment elsewhere. - CNC Machinist FORMS + SURFACES Employee Review

1.0
Aug 5, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Clean work spaces and steady work.

Cons

Well… When I first started at F&S, I was impressed by their clean shop environment and modern manufacturing setup. With the steady flow of products, this seemed like a very promising job opportunity that could lead to a long term career. I was hired as a CNC Machinist. I started with simple tasks among the few men in the machining department. I was told that I would be placed with one of the main CNC operators to train me for midnight shift. I ended up with a week of time on the HAAS CNC. I ran all the same material. The plant manager came down later in the week and asked the main operator, “How I was doing?” He replied, “He’s been on it for a week running the same stuff.” This was the beginning of the troubles that I experienced here. Policies for employees are changed at random and often. The bathroom policies are deplorable and degrading. You need to ask a supervisor for permission to use the restroom. Then you need to tell the supervisor or team lead once you return. I was not aware of this policy at the start of my employment. I went to the restroom when I needed to go. One morning, I was met outside the bathroom by the plant manager and my supervisor. The were sitting in chairs right outside the door. “I’m so glad you’re ok! We were concerned that something was wrong or you were injured!” This came directly from the plant manager. His concern was actually passive aggressive and I was met with hostility by the supervisor. “I’m your boss and you need to let me know when you go to the bathroom.” Before heading to midnight shift, I kept my bathroom breaks to a minimum to avoid conflict. Then we will move to being changed to another department. I was told I was going to work in the saw area for a brief time. I would be “cross trained” along with the other employees of the machining department. I ended up being left in the department. The team lead harassed me on multiple occasions. It got to the point where I had to tell my supervisor I was going to Human Resources. I got pulled into the office and told, “Do not go to HR. We do not want them involved in anything that goes on. We will handle it in house.” I was warned by that supervisor to always go to him and never Human Resources for any reason. RED FLAG ALERT… The problems with the team lead never really improved. He would spend his time pouting and not speaking to me and then go right back to where he left off. I eventually got told, the weekend before Christmas that I was going to midnight shift. I was told I would work in machining and in the saw area. I ended up mainly in the saw area because I never got proper training on anything in machining. I also was more efficient in the saw area than the day shift employees. As time went on, I started looking for a new job. The level of stress was extremely high and problems were not addressed when reported. I even found bottles of alcohol on one of the supervisors desks. All the midnight shift employees saw them and reported it to the second shift supervisor. This was an extreme safety issue, that any other employee would be FIRED FOR VIOLATING. Nothing was done. Instead, the supervisor went around asking who told on him… Retaliation is an everyday occurrence at F&S. The plant manager also encourages employees to tell on one another. There are men and women that were promoted because of this behavior. Everything you do is on camera and they watch everything you do. When I decided to leave, I wrote a long letter of my grievances to HR. I told them everything from start to finish. I still have an actual copy of the letter, and wish I could post it on every job site, as a warning to anyone considering a job. They called all employees that worked with me into a meeting after I left. They said, “I was a great worker, but I complained too much.” I guess harassment doesn’t matter? I felt very relieved when I left for good. It took me a while to consider leaving a review. They do not deserve anymore of my time than they have already had. I hope things get better in the future for any new employees.

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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