Carhartt Reviews

Pros

The people- everyone is genuinely kind and cares. There is a synergy unlike anything I've experienced. Everyone is extremely passionate about the company and its growth in recent years and into the future. The future is definitely bright for Carhartt.

Cons

It is an ideal place to work for someone in their 30s or 40s with kids. Very family-centric atmosphere. I feel a bit out of place being in my 20s, at least in my department. I wouldn't recommend for someone just starting their career as there is not a ton of opportunity for growth within. Gets a bit stale after a year.

Advice to Senior Management

Senior management doesn't interact enough with people lower on the totem pole. Offer more direct feedback to everyone in the department.

Pros

They have a great discount on a fabulous product. I've always loved Carhartt apparel and continue to. The people I work with are great people.

Cons

The pay isn't fair and promotions aren't fair. Don't expect to go up if you actually know what you're doing, as management seems to feel threatened by intelligent workers. So they promote the ones who really don't know what they're doing but will kiss up to the management. The communication is lacking, severely lacking. They seem lost as to what they're doing, which is understandable to some degree with all the changes they are undergoing, but it makes it scary to follow leadership.

Advice to Senior Management

Communicate more with your associates. Give them more opportunities to really prove their skills and abilities. Above all, reward a good worker & promote those who deserve it - when they deserve it!

Pros

working there you can give yourself a raise

Cons

the worst part is they hired locals for management positions, so you have people in positions that they shouldnt be in, also you have certain people that can do things others would get fired for.

Advice to Senior Management

remove people in mangement positions that have known and hang out with the people they are managing. and their is alot of waistfull spending at hanson, its like money is plentyfull (the goverment) or grows on trees

Pros

I have worked many places and Carhartt exceeds any expectation I have or had. They are compassionale and really understand the importance of taking care of the people. The opportunities are amazing and I feel that I can have a long career at Carhartt. The owner is very down to earth and I like the leaders in my department. I definitely feel heard.

Cons

Super busy. So much work and a lot of meetings. Not sure people are always held accountable.

Advice to Senior Management

Hold people accountalbe and don't lose the down to earth feel of the company.

Pros

-Ethics and the core values of the organization are practiced.
-Carhartt is a growing and stable organization that offers professional growth opportunities.
-Strategic planning has become a high priority that is practiced and communicated well throughout the organization.
-The employees are very friendly whether you visit the corporate office or a manufacturing facility in the States or Mexico.
-Employee turnover is very low throughout the organization. After working for the company for over 10 years I can understand why - great work environment, great benefits, great people to work with, fun job.
-Employees feel very passionate about the brand. When you talk to them they seem to have an emotional connection to the brand and company.

Cons

I don't consider it a downside but some people may - we are going through a lot of change as we grow and transform. I think this is exciting but I know change makes some people uncomfortable.

Pros

They try to make it a "fun" place to work. Plenty of employee activities.

Cons

Although this company touts itself as one of the best Detroit area companies to work at based on a Detroit Free Press survey, their treatment of workers leaves a lot to be desired. They are hiring, but hire almost exclusively contractors so they can dispose of them at will, like a used tissue. My "temp to perm" contract assignment ended abruptly after my manager learned that I had a minor medical problem that would require minor outpatient surgery (which I could take care of without missing any time from work). The manager of my contract agency said she was very surprised since all prior feedback regarding me had been "glowing." When the agency asked for clarification of why my assignment ended so abruptly, they were told only that "Carhartt isn't required to provide a reason."

Undoubtedly, they thought this was a more serious problem than I was letting on and that I would either a) be unreliable or b) drive up their medical costs if they hired me direct. Worst of all, they were so cowardly that they let me go home for the evening and then had the agency phone me at home to tell me not to come back the next day. I never received any negative feedback whatsoever, nor a real explanation of why my assignment ended prematurely, but I'm 100% certain of the cause due to the timing of the end of my assignment.

Advice to Senior Management

Practice what you preach and ensure that your HR department treats employees (these include contractors) like human beings. Make allowances for employees that become ill-- after all, we are human beings, not machines. Hire contractors that do a good job and make an effort to have direct hires rather than contract employees.

Pros

Some very capable individuals that attempt to perform professionally in a less than perfect environment.
Good life style work balance with a relaxed dress code.

Cons

Capable employees are stifled and hampered by a paranoid and incompetent management team. Fear and intimidation is used as means to control and the result is a pretentious friendly atmosphere that doesn't ring true. I have never seen such poor incapable management and one that is so political. Anyone with a strong skill set that is looking to improve themselves - look else where as the company is low on the maturity scale and the oppressive management style will only frustrate you.

Advice to Senior Management

Wake up and realize that something is very wrong. Probably the sadist part is that the wake up call may well come too late - if at all.

Pros

Great Product / Brand
Committed Retailers
Lax Employee Dress Code
Short Work Days
Friendly, family oriented colleagues
Employee Discount Program

Cons

Incompetent Leadership Team without any business savvy
Management is extremely insecure and becomes extremely defensive when challenged.
No Strategic Planning Ability
Does not listen to consumers

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to consumers and go back to business school. Treat subordinates with respect both personally and professionally. Change is good and required for the organization to succeed going forward. Must aggressively build the brand to thwart competitors and private label manufacturers.