Push-Pull

The Story.....

On Jan. 4th, I started working for a little company installing insulation. This little company is owned by a larger corp. Anyhow, the original boss that hired me left on Feb. 9th, leaving the daughter of the Tucson branch (bigger branch) to run things. The problem? Ever since her taking over, things have gone steadily downhill. Equipment troubles still plague us, the checks have gotten steadily smaller (partly due to equipment troubles) despite an upward trend in jobs, overtime has been cut down a lot, and the management aspect in general is nearly not there. (She's only in a couple days a week.) She held a meeting 2 weeks ago about what's bugging everybody. Big, big issue was that there were hardly enough loose gear to go around (ladders mainly). Still, 2 weeks later, NOTHING has been done about it, and it's a fight just to find a stinkin' ladder to do our job with. Even informed management about a ladder sale that the Home Depot was having.

So now there's at least 3 guys definately getting ready to move on, and there's talk of the "most valuable" 3 guys jumping ship. Keeping in mind that there are only 10 installers, this would nearly put me in a position of seniority after only 3 months.

Now, I'm new to the whole workforce thing (20 yrs self employed), but I'm no fool either. When I see the older rats running to jump ship, I have to think that there's something to it. So last nite I applied for the local (not yet open) Lowe's. One of the other installers is definately going there and was very optimistic. Me, after my own experience with the Big Orange Box (interviewed, but was NEVER called back....) I'm a bit more sceptical.

Just wondering if any of you have worked there, what it was like, etc.

__________________
"No laws, no matter how rigidly enforced, can protect a person from their own stupidity." -Me-

"Some people are like Slinkies..... They are not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." -Unknown-

DAMMIT! -Jack Bauer-

blade02

I worked there last fall in the Building Materials Section. I was only part time, as I am working to finish my degree, but I could tell they are definetly set-up to give their workers "career opportunities". There is lots of focus on training and giving employees chances to apply for higher up jobs within the chain. They train you on everything, I worked there for only 1 semester (I started a part time engineering internship) and by the time I left, I was certified on all types of forklifts in the store, the floor polisher, the wood saw and the glass cutter. Before they put you out on the floor you go through about a weeks worth of paid training and after that you go in once a month a so for more training so you can befome "certified sales person....." At the time that I left they had me training so I could handle the special order systems and be able to order shingles, decking material, or some of the mill works items (doors, windows, etc).

The downside for me was the schedule was not very consistent. Hourly it was, but they liked to rotate people between morning at evening shifts, partly because my department had so many part timers. But if you're not taking classes, then the rotation might be a nice thing. They also pretty much killed my social life, with working me Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Then again, that might have been due to the whole part time deal.

Company wise I'd say they're a pretty good bet. Lots of stores to transfer to if you want to move and lots of paid training and after awhile, SOME chances to move up. Whether you like it or not will greatl depend on your manager, how much you like the schedule they give you, and how much you can stand pretending to be happy to see everyone that walks in the store.