CAUTION: lack of accountability and poisonous culture create unsafe environment
Pros
The frontline staff are hardworking people trying to do their best under exceptionally difficult circumstances. The field training support was the main reason I stayed as long as I did, considering the absolute chaos elsewhere. My contact in field training was the one person who offered clarity among the noise.
Cons
HomeTeam Pest Defense is a place of deep and unaddressed structural fissures, consistent chaos, lack of communication and exceptionally high turnover (as I now know). In addition, the pervasive culture of disrespect (sexist jokes in my office from a man whom I was warned about--he was nicknamed "HR Nightmare;" yelling from management; uninvited and unwanted touching/pushing; a display of wholly inappropriate, HR-approved video clips at a company function) and corporate deceit combined to create an employment environment that any reasonable person would consider untenable. Managing operations in this environment was inherently unstable. The lack of operational integrity and the poisonous workplace dynamics created an environment that felt professionally and emotionally unsafe for anyone who values transparency, respect, and accountability. After an escalating trajectory of boundary crossing by another manager, and after my telling him in writing that I did not want to be yelled at, spoken to disrespectfully, mocked or touched/pushed, he stopped speaking to me completely and sent others on his behalf to communicate if he needed something. Management at the regional and corporate level--as well as HR--argued after I raised a concern about a video clip full of profanity and upholding disparaging views of women was played at a company conference. In a dazzling display of corporate gaslighting, they denied it ever happened. However, the very folks denying it were in the same room when the clip was shown, as were 12-14 other employees (mostly women) who also watched. Employees MUST be able to trust their leaders will tell the truth and own up to any mistakes made, and this trust was shattered. Not one ounce of accountability was offered. I want to issue a warning to anyone who is thinking of working here: please consider your health and well-being. I understand the need to make money--but giving away a slice of your life to a culture that's shown its only concern is protecting itself...that will come at a cost. For me it was nearly 4 months of increasing realization that it was unsustainable. I worked at my job prior to this for 12 years--and I have a wall of plaques and awards as well as promotions to show for it, so please understand I'm not a flighty employee who leaves at the first sign of a challenge. I've experienced an employer who is committed to the good of those who work there--the employees stay. I arrived on the scene at HomeTeam with nothing but a commitment to do really good work and make a positive difference in the lives of those around me...and I was FULLY blindsided when I experienced what I did at the company; I had no clue a place of employment could be so bad for its employees' well-being.