Spectrum Brands Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Spectrum Brands

Pros – - Excellent Communication
- Good Salary
- Friendly Co-workers

Cons – - Can be political at times
- Need to have better career development paths
- Cold in Madison

Advice to Senior Management – Take time to ask employees for suggestions regarding internal processes.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Spectrum Brands

Pros – Great brands, wonderful co-workers, diverse work environment

Cons – Constant fear of downsizing, upper management has no regard for employees. CEO seems to actually despise the workers. Off color jokes by CEO are unprofessional and degrading to employees.

Advice to Senior Management – Start treating employees like human beings.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Spectrum Brands

Pros – Free batteries, free parking, a lot freedom

Cons – Culture of constant fear, no support, no communication

Advice to Senior Management – Treat people like human beings

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Spectrum Brands

Pros – - It is theoretically possible to triple bonus (if you meet a ton of requirements and they don't use the non-payout clause to keep it from you)
- You do EVERYTHING....not just your job, giving you lots of different experience

Cons – - Management is very short-sighted and not open to discussion/feedback
- Nowhere to go....be happy with your first position because there most likely won't be any promotions
- Culture of fear, all the way to the top. There wasn't a time that the CEO spoke where he didn't threaten to fire everyone or talk about all of the people he has fired
- The first thought whenever management isn't happy is who to fire. At many points of time, everyone on the team will be a possible target for termination regardless of performance. And there will never be any sort of conversation/feedback on opportunity areas.
- You will never do enough, even when you have big wins. You can double sales, but management will want to know why you didn't quadruple them.
- You can't ever tell the truth because it's not what management wants to hear.
- Be prepared for constant fire drills, most of which make no sense and just create a ton of extra work for no reason
- No work/life balance. You are expected to work on holidays, vacation, nights, weekends, etc.

Advice to Senior Management – Listen to your people. They were hired in to do a job, let them do it. Sometimes they actually have good ideas/know what they are talking about.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Spectrum Brands

Pros – Interesting work and great people at my plant site. Opportunity to be involved in the business. Hopefully better Parent Company relationship after Chapter 11.

Cons – Arrogant Parent Company management that did not value years of expertise that many employees brought to the business. Struggling financial situation.

Advice to Senior Management – Leverage the great assets that you have in your employees; find ways to incorporate their ideas to improve operations and profit.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Spectrum Brands

Pros – Flexible hours, slow pace during winter months, good benefits(have to use your vehicle to make calls though), and fun working environment while in the field.

Cons – Pay is fair, but doesn't increase much. Good ol'boy system is alive and well. Bonus for MSC's is a joke. Have to use your own vehicle. Not much recognition for good job performance.

Advice to Senior Management – Learn to appreciate you employees. Don't make jokes during the conference call regarding impending layoffs. Increase bonus to something worth getting excited about.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend