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Lincoln Electric

Is this your company?

Mediocre at best! - Tool And Die Maker Lincoln Electric Employee Review

2.0
Apr 12, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company does provide the opportunity to earn a livable wage for the most part, but the rate of pay is very inconsistent. This makes it extremely difficult for an employee to budget for their household expenses. I have personally experienced a reduction of pay of over $40,000 in one year due to a slow economy, lack of hours, and a poor bonus payout. The year this occurred I actually qualified for government assistance because my earnings were so low. But it can be argued that I was not laid off during these cyclical downturns in the economy. Looking back, I would have rather accepted a layoff from the company than hold on to the false hope that things would get better. If I would have been laid off, it would have forced me to pursue a job/career in a more stable field when I was younger.

Cons

The biggest "con" I experienced working at LE was the pay structure for the hourly/production workers. Whenever there was a downturn in the economy, the company would quickly react by reducing hours and even freezing the 401k match benefit. It always felt like the "rug was being pulled out from under you". And to add insult to injury, hourly/production workers would have their pay reduced by 20% (working only 4 of 5 days a week) while salaried employees would experience a smaller reduction if any at all. Also, the company didn't provide any sick pay or paid holidays. The year end bonus was supposed to help provide compensation for the lack of sick/holiday pay for its employees, but the problem with this is that the health insurance deduction from the bonus greatly reduced the net take home bonus pay (some employees brought home $0.00 after insurance costs were deducted). There are more cons to working here but my time is limited. I will say that I have read the other reviews submitted and that I can definitely corroborate that they are for the most part factual and truthfully depict the negative aspects of working here.

Explore other reviews about Lincoln Electric

5.0
Mar 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

great development opportunities and employees

Cons

bureaucracy and pay not reflected in performance

2.0
Mar 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Lincoln Electric is an organization in the midst of significant transformation. Under CEO Steve Hedlund, the company is operating with a markedly different leadership philosophy than under prior leadership. The pace of change is fast and highly visible, which has created both opportunity and strain across the organization. The environment is dynamic but also complex. Many teams are navigating shifting priorities, evolving structures, and unclear processes. There is a high degree of ambiguity, and process discipline is still maturing in several areas. For some leaders, this creates room to build, shape, and influence. For others, particularly those who prefer clarity, established infrastructure, and strong cross-functional alignment, the environment may feel disorganized and taxing. Culturally, the organization is competitive. Senior leaders are often highly focused on positioning their own functions and succession trajectories, which can limit collaboration and mentorship. Feedback mechanisms are not consistently structured, and communication can sometimes occur indirectly rather than through transparent dialogue. Individuals who require hands-on development, coaching, or strong sponsorship may find limited formal support. Workloads tend to be heavy relative to available resources, and internal capability varies by function. Leaders who thrive here are typically those comfortable operating independently, driving change without perfect information, and managing through ambiguity.

Cons

That said, for executives seeking accelerated visibility and a shorter path to advancement—particularly given ongoing turnover at senior levels—the environment can present real opportunity. Those who are resilient, politically astute, and energized by transformation may find the experience career-accelerating. In summary, Lincoln Electric is best suited for leaders who are self-directed, comfortable with change, and motivated by building in imperfect conditions. It may be less aligned for professionals seeking structured development, stable systems, or collaborative mentorship-driven cultures.

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