Fruit of the Loom Reviews

Pros

Some of the best people you will ever meet. A lot of company pride and unity. Very relaxed and comfortable work environment. Company is working very hard to bring itself current with technology.

Cons

A bit too conservative for their own good. Need to better understand the perception of their brand in the marketplace and adjust to the times. Company is just now getting into e-commerce. Has been afraid to outsource but with new leadership they are making positive changes that will grow and diversify their company. Exciting times ahead for FOL.

Advice to Senior Management

This is a great management team. My advice would be listen to your employees at all levels. Very valuable messages can be sifted out to continually improve the company.

Pros

Great atmosphere, engaging people, wealth of opporutunies.

Cons

Change is slow, but coming

Advice to Senior Management

Continue growth in leadership

Pros

Plenty of opportunities to get involved with supply chain functions such as distribution and manufacturing. The company provided training opportunities to get involved with lean and six sigma training, Overall, Fruit of the Loom is a place where employees receive training to assist them with being effective in their job function.

Cons

Fruit of the Loom is has a highly political culture, departments tend to work in silos and there is a high level of micro managing within the organization. The attrition rate in distribution was phenomenal during the time I was employed, the investments in training resulted in some employees pursuing opportunities outside of the organization, The salary was not competitive compared to similar industries and positions.

Advice to Senior Management

In order to keep your talented employees, salaries and benefits will need to become competitive. Even though it's a recession, it is still a prime career environment where results oriented individuals can seek other opportunities or be recruited to work at other organizations.

Pros

You will have a chance to grow and hone your skills within the company. A good place to start a management career.

Cons

Once you have been with the company for a while you will find out you have no room for advancement and that they will Micro Manage you no matter how competent you are. The company is slow to adjust to new and better ways. No bonus for managers and low wage increases that do not keep up with inflation.

Advice to Senior Management

Allow your employees to to do their job without all of the super egos involved and give them better support and the tools to do the job.

Pros

Before the acquisition of Russell by Fruit of the Loom, there was a sense of pride regarding the "Russell" heritage and product development. Russell had lost its way for a while, but seemed to be moving into a more positive attitude.

Cons

All questions, no answers. Real risk to those Russell folks who are still there as it is obvious that the 20+ year experienced employees are not valued for their knowledge of the customer base or the products.

Advice to Senior Management

Allow what's left of the Russell organization to run the "team wear" as they see fit, before you run a valued brand into the ground and out of business....

Pros

Good Benefit Package
Bowling Green is an affordable place to live
Easy commute
Friendly people
Good relocation package
Generous contributions to 401(k)

Cons

Micro-managed up to, and including the CEO
No telecommute availability
No flex hours
Minimal room for advancement
Treat lower level employees like children

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees (they might know more than you do)
Empower your people (you might be surprised that they can work without supervision)
Allow flex hours
Allow telework

Pros

Transparency within the organization, team environment, promote from within

Cons

difficult to advance if not working at HQ

Advice to Senior Management

continued transparancy through the organization

Pros

The office setting is very casual, benefits are decent.

Cons

Limited professional development and career advancement. Salary typically runs 10% to 15% below market rates for low to mid level employees. Employees are treated as small children and micromanaged in every aspect.

Advice to Senior Management

Departments are very territorial and lack general cooperation. Every employee is very defensive and management frowns upon interdepartmental contact.

Pros

Bowling Green is an affordable place to live. Also you can get some valuable exposure to working within a large organization.

Cons

The relationship between departments are very fragile thus allowing for several conflicts between departments. You'll find that mid level managers are sometimes overly proud.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more motivating and positive.