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Harbor Freight Tools

Engaged Employer

Harbor Freight Tools reviews

3.6

63% would recommend to a friend

(3,449 total reviews)
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Eric Smidt

67% approve of CEO

57% positive business outlook

Harbor Freight Tools has an employee rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars, based on 3,449 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Harbor Freight Tools employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.5 stars).

Reviews by job title

3K reviews
1.0
Nov 17, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay scale for management is fair. The company is growing at the rate of 50 stores per year. There is opportunity to grow with the company.

Cons

I spite of the preaching to improve work/life balance, there really isn't any for the store manager. Core hour for store managers are 47.5 per week, but most weeks it will be more like 55 to 60. There are so many special events each year that require extra hours to be worked. The company has an average of 5.2% labor for the year. I know of stores that were forced to work with less than 4.8%. That means managers spend most of their time doing rather than managing. Managers have little power to uphold return policies, because if the customer calls corporate, the manager must do the return and apologize to the customer, and give them a gift card for 10 to 50 dollars for their trouble. District managers work with store managers that will suck up to them, but will turn their backs on the managers who won't play their power games.

4.0
Nov 15, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good overall business model Casual dress code (Jeans and shorts allowed!) Even part time employees get benefits such as paid time off and 401k! Management and coworkers, atleast in my store are friendly and easy to get along with. Always something to do, no standing around and being bored. The company likes to promote from within and encourages and makes it easy for employees to apply for promotions. Stores close at a reasonable time. (9pm M-S and 6pm on Sundays)

Cons

Sometimes having to go in to work real early in the morning or work till really late at night. Some occasional overnights may be required but it's not too bad. Stores tend to be in seedy parts of town. Micromanagement from corporate. If you are not comfortable with heavy lifting then this is not the place for you.

1.0
Nov 8, 2014

Not worth it

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

very flexible on the schedules.

Cons

you are expected to do every positions jobs. and are reprimanded if you are able to complete one task out of the ten you are handed. they leave the less capable employees to stay on the resister and not do anything but that, and still your are supposed to sales memberships. that are very pointless in selling. you are yelled at as if you are a 5year old child.

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Harbor Freight Tools Response
11y
Thanks for your feedback, and for pointing out the flexible scheduling the company offers its retail employees. We also try to provide a casual atmosphere for the staff, as well as competitive benefits and vacation time. Also, we appreciate you sharing the areas where you thought there could be improvement. Harbor Freight continually strives to improve the work environment and its input like yours that helps us get there. Had you still been with us, we would have encouraged you to reach out to your HR representative with your concerns, or, if you would have liked to share your thoughts anonymously, to call our HFT Outlet Hotline at 1-800-693-8377. We wish you good luck.
Viewing 3124 - 3126 of 3,449 Reviews

Glassdoor has 3,496 Harbor Freight Tools reviews submitted anonymously by Harbor Freight Tools employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Harbor Freight Tools is right for you.