Les Schwab Tire Centers Employee Review

I worked at Les Schwab Tire Centers

Pros – Some great people in the stores, remaining Prineville operations, and much of the Bend HQ.
Very good benefits for retail.
Still a lot of employees who exemplify the best of the company Les built.
Very nice bonus program.
Generous short term disability

Cons – Not great base pay for non-management professionals (salaried/exempt)
Time off not very competitive (vacation)
Many HQ managers pile the work on their exempt staff so they can avoid paying overtime to hourly staff.
Many employees not happy but stay due to the poor economy in the area or because they are too close to retirement.
There was much resentment from many employees when managers return from plush company trips to Hawaii when staff had not gotten raises for 3+ years, and many employees had been let go due to down business.
Many comments from employees that "the lawyers are running the company now. "
Those who speak up about poor conditions find themselves on the street soon.

Advice to Senior Management – We all understand that the family (shareholders) ask you to manage the company for them, and keep it profitable, but you need to take a long honest look at some of the so-called leaders at all levels, and get input from line employees who are increasingly at risk of leaving when the economy improves. Many of the HQ managers only know how to manage by intimidation or by belittling employees. At its best, those are medieval practices that do not encourage the best in ult inmoreemployees. At worst, it is a form of bullying which lessens your ability to attract and retain employees and may result in more costly charges and lawsuits. So many good employees have been forced out and you risk losing more.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend