Pros
The advantages of working at GW are numerous, especially if you're in the field, sales, or production. Your prospects are quite promising, with the potential for substantial bonuses when you and your team excel. Additionally, you receive complimentary t-shirts, and there are free boot tours available, up to a specified limit. The annual kickoff event is an enjoyable experience that can uplift team spirits. For those in production or sales, GW places a strong emphasis on providing extensive training opportunities.
Cons
The drawbacks of working at GW are worth considering, especially if you're in Corporate or administrative roles at one of the locations. Unfortunately, the treatment in these positions is less than satisfactory. Within the Corporate HR department, trust in the information provided is often questionable, as a culture of backstabbing prevails. The company has a somewhat cult-like atmosphere. While they promote the idea of a "tribe," it often feels more like a "comply or face consequences" mentality, as opposed to genuine unity. They claim that employees are "owners," but this ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) doesn't genuinely distribute shares and stocks. You receive something if you perform well, only. Seniority and experience hold little value, as the company seems more interested in hiring newcomers at high salaries and sign-on bonuses while leaving long-standing employees with lower compensation and mistreatment. For those working in payroll, expect to dedicate at least two days to extremely demanding hours, sometimes requiring 24-hour shifts just to "get the job done." If there are issues with payroll due to branch errors, the blame tends to fall on the payroll team rather than addressing the root cause. They struggle to be heard and often face significant challenges. The Payroll and HR teams endure the most difficulties within the company, with the Accounting team also facing considerable pressure. Accounting staff are not permitted to work overtime without prior approval, yet their workload is extensive, deadlines are tight, and they operate with a limited workforce. For those at the branch level, anticipate weekend and late-night work commitments. Office managers, in particular, bear the brunt of mistreatment and receive inadequate compensation. It appears that designating them as salaried employees is a strategy to circumvent paying them overtime. The entire notion of "ownership" and "we all put our boots on the same way" is far from the truth when it comes to the corporate lifestyle. The real issue lies with individuals who are placed in management positions without any relevant experience in the department they are overseeing. I personally endured years of mistreatment and low pay while trying to be part of the "tribe." However, I reached a point where it was no longer worthwhile. If you are considering applying to this company, I strongly advise against it.
