★
Watco Companies Reviews
Updated Nov 16, 2023
Filter by Topic
Work Life Balance
Management
Coworkers
Benefits
Compensation
Career Development
Workplace
Culture
Senior Leadership
Diversity & Inclusion
Clear All
Full-time, Part-time
English
Verify your email to use filters. Having problems? Resend email
Found 248 of over 258 reviews
71% Recommend to a Friend
91% Approve of CEO
Found 245 of over 258 reviews
Popular
- Popular
- Most Recent
- Highest Rating
- Lowest Rating
Recommend to a Friend
Approve of CEO
Dan Smith
68 Ratings
Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
Pros
- "When there is no barges then it's laid back in the shade doing nothing easy money and the crew are all good guys that got each other's backs" (in 6 reviews)
Cons
- "Upper management has lost touch with their sites and only concerned with spending." (in 11 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of Watco Companies and is not affected by filters.
- 5.0Nov 6, 2023Location ManagerCurrent Employee, more than 10 yearsSulphur, LA
Pros
Cares about their team members.
Cons
It’s hard to advance in the company.
- 5.0Sep 17, 2023Locomotive Engineer/ConductorCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearMemphis, TN
Pros
With my experience at WATCO they definitely care about you and your success. I've had hard times while working for WATCO and my manager has been more than helpful and understanding. I put in the hard work to climb up the ladder and the company saw that and moved me up to a higher position quick
Cons
The only downside for me is at the site I work at. It has a very high turnover rate. It is more so because a lot of the people that hire on haven't had a job that requires a lot of physical and mental labor.
Watco Companies Response2moThanks for sharing your feedback. It's good to see that you're receiving support from your local management team.
- 4.0Oct 17, 2023Heavy Machinery OperatorCurrent Employee, less than 1 yearPasadena, TX
Pros
Good Pay and Opportunities if you ask for them. The work environment is nice too. No micro-managing and you can work at a safe pace. Safety is taken very seriously.
Cons
The Ups and Downs in this business. Some weeks you get 50 hours and others you might only get 20.
Watco Companies Response2moThanks for taking the time to provide feedback. Appreciate your comment on safety. Absolutely a critical value. The transportation industry can definitely have it's busy and slow seasons, but understand the importance of consistent hours for the team. Thanks again for sharing.
- 3.0Nov 16, 2023OporatorCurrent Employee
Pros
Opportunity to gain good experience in a wide range of things in the transportation industry.
Cons
Too many people with upper management jobs that don’t do a whole lot.
- 5.0Oct 11, 2023DirectorCurrent Employee, more than 8 yearsPittsburg, KS
Pros
You are valued as a part of the team Safety is the most important thing Your input is valued
Cons
I don't have any issues or cons to report.
Watco Companies Response2moThank you for sharing your experience. It's good to see that Watco's values (valuing people and safety) are listed as some of your "pros".
- 5.0Oct 12, 2023Site EHS ManagerCurrent Employee, more than 1 yearNewark, NJ
Pros
Good Working Culture and Great support from Management
Cons
Occasionally Monotony and Day to day office issues
Watco Companies Response2moAppreciate you taking the time to share your experience with Watco. Happy to hear that you have a good culture and support from your leadership team.
- 5.0Oct 11, 2023Operations AccountantCurrent Employee, more than 3 yearsOverland Park, KS
Pros
Incredible people, understanding managers, opportunities to grow and learn, and a fun atmosphere.
Cons
No cons to mention here.
Watco Companies Response2moThanks for taking the time to provide feedback on your experience at Watco. It's nice to hear that you have a great team of people around you.
- 1.0Oct 5, 2023Revenue Account SpecialistFormer EmployeePittsburg, KS
Pros
Do not have anything positive to say.
Cons
Unusual processes, horrible software, position is basic data entry invoicing.
Watco Companies Response2moIt looks like you've moved on from Watco, so best of luck as you continue on in your career. If you're ever interested in sharing your ideas for improvement, feel free to email me at rpeterson@watco.com.
- 4.0Jun 7, 2023Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee
Pros
Getting better at the no a-hole rule; most of the organization is cohesive and finds ways to be successful together
Cons
Lack of focus or lack of transparency around development/talent planning across org. I don’t think it’s intentional, just hasn’t felt like a focus with how quickly the company has grown.
Watco Companies Response4moThanks for your feedback and agree that we need to continue focusing on team member development/succession planning.
- 1.0Aug 1, 2023Train YardFormer Employee, less than 1 yearJunction City, KS
Pros
they give you money at least
Cons
the single worst job. I have ever had in my entire life. It the only job where I have been yelled at for not walking to the bathroom fast enough (and I was in the military for 16 years) . My supervisor would threaten to fire through-out the day. This is the only job I didn't give a two weeks notice to when I quit.
Watco Companies Response4moIf you'd ever be interested in sharing more about your concerns, please reach out (rpeterson@watco.com). I'm not certain what Watco location that you were a part of based on the provided information, but would like to understand your concerns to help us continue to improve.
Join the Watco Companies team
Watco Companies Reviews FAQs
Watco Companies has an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5, based on over 258 reviews left anonymously by employees. 71% of employees would recommend working at Watco Companies to a friend and 59% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has improved by 9% over the last 12 months.
71% of Watco Companies employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Watco Companies 3.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.7 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities.
According to reviews on Glassdoor, employees commonly mention the pros of working at Watco Companies to be management, career development, benefits and the cons to be senior leadership .
