Addison is the corporate headquarters for both companies. There is no mechanical work done there.
Employees must dress professionally, however, the CEO directs physical inspections of the women. A dress code is acceptable. The public inspections where women have to stand up, in front of everyone, are psychologically demeaning. Please note that women are not allowed to wear much make-up, dark nail polish, open-toed shoes, or mules. Women must wear pumps or pump slingbacks, no sleeveless dresses or shirts - arms must be covered at all times.
Men call the CEO by his first name; the women are encouraged to call him by his last name. The CEO is not comfortable with women calling him by his first name. The culture strongly encourages women to take orders. It is an extreme patriarchal work culture. (See website)
There is constant tension, the entire staff walks on eggshells and they are terrified of the owner’s retaliation for making decisions in the best interest of the company. Witnessing employees and the C-Suite being talked down to is common. Tattle-telling is encouraged.
Communication is non-existent and the C-Suite is frequently frustrated by changes that are made in their department, without their knowledge, input, or approval. Any thoughtful suggestions regarding technology, creativity, explanations of how to work more efficiently, and suggestions of how to be more considerate of employees are considered insubordinate.
The culture encourages a family atmosphere through weekly breakfast meetings, birthday celebrations, and free snacks and drinks. Employees seem to enjoy it, however, the camaraderie they share about how dysfunctional the company is run, the owner’s misguided financial priorities, and the enabling he receives, is the culture.
The difference in what women are paid vs. what men are paid is staggering. There is no pay transparency.
Except during breakfast and at monthly birthday celebrations, it is not a happy place. Many of the support staff sit alone in their car in the parking lot at lunch, despite having a nice lunch room. The COO, the President, and most employees leave at 5 on the dot.
During onboarding, HR is very honest and upfront that the owner will never be satisfied with anyone’s performance or anything they do. Everyone is told that his needs come first and that whatever you are asked to do for him, everything is dropped and you do that, no matter what you are working on – even if it is a project for him – that he wants “right now”. The owner’s first thought is to complain and accuse first without having facts. When he gets them, there is never an apology. Everyone works with their head down and seems afraid of him.
Despite the size of the company, the lack of departmental boundaries, the lack of respect for department heads, and being out of touch with current emotional intelligence where the management of employees is concerned, make it a chaotic and toxic work environment! No one deserves to be demeaned or shamed.
The CEO is very vocal that if someone does not want to work there is because they do not want to work hard. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone who has worked there in the past or who sticks it out, for their own reasons, should be commended. The career opportunities are limited. See website.
The company is 30 years old. Everyone in the C-Suite has been there less than 3 years. It is a revolving door of employees.
