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Harbor Freight Tools

Engaged Employer

was great, but now they are failing us - Sales Associate Harbor Freight Tools Employee Review

4.0
Nov 6, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company is well run. They give enough hours to the stores to get work done, which is unusual in retail. They have a lot of full time positions, where most retailers get rid of those and have mostly part timers. You get a very good discount, which is great for people who have side jobs in construction or who just like to work on cars in their spare time, or people with hobbies. You learn a lot from just talking to customers about what they are working on, and you actually have time to speak to customers instead of rushing through them because you have so much to do you don't have the time. And the customers love this. They compliment us all the time on the customer service, which we are able to provide because they give the stores what they need to give good customer service.

Cons

The truck unload process is very tiring. We really need more equipment to move product around. If we had u-boats in every store it would help us get product around better. You can only fit so much on those square dollies, which means you are bending down and picking stuff up more, which means you get tired quicker. The other problem is that they are trying to force us to get covid vaccinations and have not opened up any way for us to express how we feel about it. They say the vaccinations are safe and effective, but that is the same thing people in other countries were told, who are still having high rates of covid and have to get multiple boosters. I wish that they would respect the freedoms of their employees to at least talk to their own doctor. We are all different, with different risk factors and we all take different medications, and a lot of us are afraid because no one knows what these vaccines will do them. One employee, who has a serious illness, told me that there is no research at all on how these vaccines affect their illness, or if it affects their medication, and now they have to put themselves at risk, or pay extra for insurance. That is not right. It's hard to believe that a company that treats their employees so well could make them take this risk. I wish they would at least look at the side effects before they do this to their employees. I wish they would do what some other companies and states have done and file a lawsuit to protect their employees and stand up for freedom.

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Harbor Freight Tools Response
4y
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. Throughout this pandemic, the health and safety of our Associates, our customers and our communities has been our primary concern. We encourage all of our Associates to get vaccinated as vaccines have proven to be safe, free, widely available and they are the most effective protection to against COVID-19 and its variants in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death, and to help prevent the further spread of this disease. Like most companies, the cost of treating Associates who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 infections, almost all of whom were unvaccinated, has caused our insurance rates to go up substantially. Harbor Freight is committed to keeping the cost of health benefits as low as possible for all of our Associates. Consequently, Associates who are not fully vaccinated will pay an additional premium cost, similar to the additional premium costs charged to Associates who smoke or do not get their annual physical. Thank you for your continued hard work and we're glad to have you on the team.

Explore other reviews about Harbor Freight Tools

5.0
Apr 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Amazing company to work for they do care about your feedback!

Cons

Hitting the goals they have set for you can be challenging most of the time!

4.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits, fast paced environment, good teamwork. I liked the hours, you get an education about tools, whether from your coworkers or the customers. And speaking of the customers, they were on the better side for retail. Most are down to earth and easy to converse with.

Cons

Supply chain issues, many parts would never be replenished, despite being featured, advertised, and on display. That would often lead to tensions with customers. Aggressive time constraints on tasks. Sidewalk sales, holidays, and also coincidentally inclement weather days, can be quite busy and therefore stressful. Especially if there's call outs, but if you have a good management team, you'll have good staff that will want to work for them.

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