Good Pay but a terrible job - General Manager Fastenal Employee Review

2.0
Feb 23, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay, paid holidays, paid vacation. CEO is a really great guy.

Cons

(Not in Chicago just put that to avoid persecution) I used to love this job. Thought I would be working here til retirement. Now I dread the thought. The job consumes you and you are only as good as your last month. They are always adding more duties to managers already loaded plate. Lots of exta computer assignments keep being added while also being told you need to be out selling most of the time. They dont trust their employees. Leads to a lot of extra work at home to keep up. Not a good job for people that value time with families. There is understandably a lot of turn over with GMs. For a company that has been around since the 70s with 1,000s of employees its rare to find many people even with 5 years of service. That says a lot. You can literally see the GMs around you age like a president does. This job is a good stepping stone for better jobs because you will learn a lot. Use it to broaden your resume just get out before you lose too much of yourself. If you get the wrong DM, your life will be hell and your ability to lead will be a joke. It can be a very toxic work environment where you do not feel safe and the bullying and harrasment leaves you feeling helpless. Part timers are used as spies which makes them feel like they are the manager. Any report to HR is immediately given to the DM so you are stuck until you find something new. Just keep your head down and your mouth shut. Therapy has helped but why should that be a requirement to work somewhere?

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Jan 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This role at Fastenal has great benefits and has a lot of potential for growth.

Cons

The job responsibilities vary day to day. Lots of different requirements of the job.

2.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I like my coworkers and my GM is a good .

Cons

The business model and lean staffing is simply unsustainable. Entry level pay, part time, little training, no commissions. Fastenal is focused on the sale rather than the customer. The wing it mentatility leaves customer service lacking. It's a roll coaster of putting one fire out after the other. They sale the position during the interview process but after your in there's empty promises with no real timelines for when the advancement is coming. Upper management seems out of touch with the day to day business. If you ask for help they simply say you have a good schedule. It's extremely disappointing that it has turned out this way because I was excited about the prospect of becoming an Account manager.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All