Toxic work environment with inexperienced leadership and unrealistic expectations - Product Sales Manager WillScot Employee Review

1.0
Jul 29, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

My peers who endured the same.

Cons

I’ve been with this company long enough to see serious issues unfold across multiple markets, and it’s clear I’m not alone—many of my colleagues feel the same. The work environment has become extremely toxic due to poor leadership, rampant micromanagement, and a fundamental disconnect between managers and field employees. First, micromanagement is out of control. While you officially report to one manager, you’re constantly getting “asks” and conflicting directives from several other people. It creates chaos, confusion, and a lack of focus. Instead of empowering employees to perform, leadership smothers them with unnecessary oversight. Second, the managers lack true leadership experience. Most have little to no background in managing people. They act more like “pushers” than coaches—completely out of touch with what’s happening in the field and the realities of day-to-day operations. Their inability to provide meaningful guidance or support makes it nearly impossible to thrive. Third, the company’s obsession with data is deeply flawed. Goals and performance metrics are based on faulty and easily manipulated data. I’ve seen reps receive praise for gaming the CRM (to not mention by name, the most popular CRM software most companies use) numbers despite lackluster actual results, while high-performing employees are overlooked because they refuse to play those games. On top of that, the sales goals are completely unrealistic. In some cases, employees are expected to hit 300%+ increases year-over-year, despite market conditions or available resources. It’s demoralizing and disconnected from reality. Literally feels like numbers come from thin air. Finally, the incentive structure is backwards. Goals are often set just before the incentive period begins, making it obvious they’re simply adjusted upward whenever reps are on track to hit them. It feels less like a merit-based system and more like an exercise in constantly moving the finish line. Overall, the lack of trust in employees, poor leadership, and broken goal-setting process have created a toxic culture where stress runs high and morale runs low. Until there’s a serious overhaul of management training, realistic goal-setting, and a culture shift away from micromanagement, this will remain an incredibly difficult and frustrating place to work.

Explore other reviews about WillScot

5.0
Dec 4, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

PTO Insurances Corporate culture Fellow employees

Cons

Corporate culture can be tough but is still fair.

1.0
Jul 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Once upon a time, I enjoyed it.

Cons

New CEO took over. He’s pretty out of touch. My former colleagues call me and ask me return on a weekly basis still because it’s going poorly for them. They constantly make business decisions that counter organic growth. Probably because the motivator is not organic growth. Sales are treated like call center employees and there’s a ton of hate from the WS/ MM merger that wasn’t dealt with. It is definitely an ivory tower. You’re inside of it or you are not. If you’re liked, you can do whatever you want. As long as it looks like you’re committed to the group. This means that you can’t share a dissenting opinion though. Two of the worst three managers I have ever seen were there. They target individuals who don’t go be them the metrics they want in safety or performance. HR’s goal is to protect the company. Share nothing with them, ever.

1
See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All