Hi all - thought this would be an interesting topic. OK - I'll start:

Hobby Lobby Corporate. The more they grew, the more "untrusting" they became. Alot of the "Managers" there didn't treat their employees with much respect. The only reason this would be an issue is because of their "Christian" platform. Apparently the Do Unto Others motto does not apply to them. THat place was definitely full of Hypocrites...

I know a couple of guys in the Hobby Lobby IT shop and they seem to be happy, but I can't speak to the rest of the organization.

It seems that there are are a lot of unhappy people at Hertz these days, with layoffs and re-org/outsourcing.
Hertz cites economy in metro layoffs | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/article/3210582/1204350645)

Awww C'mon guys - play in this thread.....no one will know who you are.... (hehe)I thought for sure there would be a few more responses!! And MadMonk, I had heard alot of bad at Hertz...very micro-managed ??

I had a lot of friends who worked for Hertz at one time or another. Almost all of them hated it and left under bad circumstances.

I've heard terrible things about the Hartford.

Dell?

From what I've heard, everyone rags on Dell, Hertz, Sprint, and Cox. The best places seem to be the smaller companies, which is also my situation.

Airport Parking (Ampco System Parking) They treat there employees kind a like cattle, they dont trust any of the cashiers at the toll booths, there pay is really really bad. Ever since the city outsoruced everyhing at the airport the pay sucks and benifits are just a dream

Dillards Penn Square Mall. I would throw a party if it should ever burn to the ground.
Also, County Line BBQ. May they rot.

Ditto on Dillards Penn Square.

I agree that the smaller companies are better to work for, management does not have to worry about pleasing the shareholders. I work at the Midland Group campus (Midfirst Bank) and positively love it there.

I have had the misfortune of working at Cox and I do mean misfortune. I used to think that it was preposterous when someone said that they were allergic to their job, but after working there, I now understand. During my short employ with them, I was constantly getting headaches and breaking out in hives. Shortly after leaving, my body returned to normal. I felt like such a robot there.

I also agree with you, kmf563, I cannot stand the Dillards at Penn. The people that work there do not understand the concept of excellent service. I wish Nordstrom would replace them, THEY know good service!

One thing I have noticed is that most of the time it is the employees that give a company a crappy work enviroment. I left my last job because of all the slack ass employees they were hiring.

I take pride in every job I have ever held. I rarely call in, I put in a full day of work and I make it a point to do my job in a professional manner. It is pain in the ass when people call in because they want to not because they are sick or have a family emergency. When the slackers do come to work they come in late, look like crap, do half ass job, goof off and then want to go home early.

In the end the rest of have to suffer because a new policy has to be written and enforced to correct the habits of the slackers. In my opinion every employer should have the right fire at will. If they can show someone is piece of crap employee they should be able to fire them.

Thanks to all the feel good labor laws the only way you can fire someone is when they break the law, not show up for three consecutive days or through layoffs.

I had a lot of friends who worked for Hertz at one time or another. Almost all of them hated it and left under bad circumstances.

Add me to that list. It was so bad there that I actually considered writing a book about it. But of course, they'd get their New York/New Jersey lawyers after me and try to sue me into silence. That's one of their favorite tactics.

I believe at one time there was actually a HertzSucks.com website. I haven't checked on it in years. Hertz probably sued the heck out of them too.

If you have a certain mindset, you can be happy there, but for most people, it turns out to be hell on Earth.

Mid-Del schools. For many, many reasons I will never go back and I will never recommend a teacher go there.

One thing I have noticed is that most of the time it is the employees that give a company a crappy work enviroment. I left my last job because of all the slack ass employees they were hiring.

I take pride in every job I have ever held. I rarely call in, I put in a full day of work and I make it a point to do my job in a professional manner. It is pain in the ass when people call in because they want to not because they are sick or have a family emergency. When the slackers do come to work they come in late, look like crap, do half ass job, goof off and then want to go home early.

In the end the rest of have to suffer because a new policy has to be written and enforced to correct the habits of the slackers. In my opinion every employer should have the right fire at will. If they can show someone is piece of crap employee they should be able to fire them.

Thanks to all the feel good labor laws the only way you can fire someone is when they break the law, not show up for three consecutive days or through layoffs.Judging by your comments it would appear that you are a model employee. I have no reason not to take you at your word, or to assume otherwise. My question is this. As a model employee with a work ethic such as yours, one that seems to be above reproach. How could a policy that is written for, and then enforced, and done for the pupose of correcting the poor habits of those sub standard employees possibly affect you?
Also, your opinions regarding an employees right to continued employment seem to contridict one another. On one hand it's your belief that you, and your co-workers should be employeed under the doctrine of an "at will employee". In the state of Oklahoma there are many employees that do in fact work, at the will of thier employers, or thier superiors That may workout fine for the model employee like yourself. For your sake I hope you never work for someone, or more importantly become subordinate to someone, who can fire you, just because they can. Maybe they don't like your hair, or they don't like your church, or maybe they have a relative that really wants or needs your job.

You then state that a employer should be able to fire a piece of crap employee, that is of course if the employer can "show" them to actually be pieces of crap. Now we're talking about working under the doctrine of "just cause" as it pertains to discipline and/or termination. Sure there must be some form of documintation to support the claims of a bad employees infractions, and poor work performence. If that is done, and done honestly, and fairly, then by all means fire thier ass.

Add me to that list. It was so bad there that I actually considered writing a book about it. But of course, they'd get their New York/New Jersey lawyers after me and try to sue me into silence. That's one of their favorite tactics.

I believe at one time there was actually a HertzSucks.com website. I haven't checked on it in years. Hertz probably sued the heck out of them too.

If you have a certain mindset, you can be happy there, but for most people, it turns out to be hell on Earth.

There's a blog about the current goings-on there. Lots of interesting comments. I'm sure once Hertz's attorneys get wind of it it'll disappear.
Hertzblog (http://hertzblog-hertzblog.blogspot.com)

Add me to that list. It was so bad there that I actually considered writing a book about it. But of course, they'd get their New York/New Jersey lawyers after me and try to sue me into silence. That's one of their favorite tactics.

I believe at one time there was actually a HertzSucks.com website. I haven't checked on it in years. Hertz probably sued the heck out of them too.

If you have a certain mindset, you can be happy there, but for most people, it turns out to be hell on Earth.



So is it true, you have to swipe your card each time you leave your "station" for a bathroom break? Is it a very micro-managed place to be??

I spent eight years working at the Data Center for Hertz, and thought I would be there until I retired. I found that my satisfaction with my job had a direct correlation to the leadership abilities of my boss. Bad boss = horrible work environment. Good boss = good job. If you know Sam G., you know he is a great guy and a professional and conscientious person. It was a pleasure working for him my last few years there and I wouldn't have left if I hadn't gotten such a great opportinity. I wasn't even job hunting.

My biggest complaint about Hertz was the stupid shoe regulations. :)

I think the Chamber is the best place to work. Ever. Especially if you are interested in progress in Oklahoma City and enthusiastic about the growth and success of our hometown.

My husband works at Hertz. Years ago he was at the data center, but is now at the admin center. He LOVES his workgroup, including his boss and the VP that is in charge of his particular area, but will admit the company has some serious problems.

The new ownership has made some strides in trying to bring up employee morale, at least recognizing that there are some problems that need to be addressed. At the end of the day, however, with the principal executive management team in New Jersey, it's really hard to connect with the employees here in OKC.

I know they are making some sort of effort, but I don't think it's very focused. The recent layoffs certainly didn't help matters much.

My husband claims Hertz is certainly not the BEST place he's ever worked, but he also says it's not the worst place, either.

I'm surprised no one has brought up Ackerman-McQueen as a "worst place." Talk about your chop shop. The place is a veritable revolving door of advertising/marketing folks. Work there and grow some very thick skin. Late hours, low pay, and lots of getting yelled at. A circus of fun!

I hear bad things about Enterprise. Washing cars in suits, long hours, underpaid, etc.

a la mode, inc. - not sure if they've gotten rid of the cots in back, as programmers were "expected" to pull all-nighters to meet deadlines. Deadlines that were tied to incentives that were never given. Multiple lawsuits against the place and it's owner.

I once knew a guy that worked there. He was the most easy-going person you can imagine and he really knew his stuff (but he wasn't a programmer). I heard all about the cots. They messed with him so much with the high pressure and low rewards (but plenty of promises) that he finally quit along with several others. He's happily working elsewhere now and has warned me never to even consider A La Mode.

COX made me change carrers.I did communications for 8yrs in So.Cali and LOVED it.Cox did not take my education into consideration.They said I had to go through Cox University....that was a joke!!! Their trainers did not even know how the nodes or any of their equipment work.Their supervisors..brown nosing all the time! They black balled me when they heard I had spoken to some reps from C.W.A. But enough about them, I totaly love my new carrer.I think it was a sign from above to leave that field and go into helping people. Coca-Cola was a great place to work(at least for me).Good manegment,poor logistics though.

I once knew a guy that worked there. He was the most easy-going person you can imagine and he really knew his stuff (but he wasn't a programmer). I heard all about the cots. They messed with him so much with the high pressure and low rewards (but plenty of promises) that he finally quit along with several others. He's happily working elsewhere now and has warned me never to even consider A La Mode.

Many a marriage/relationship has been ruined by [a la Camode], most headhunters know about the bad reputation they have there. I've heard that the environment has changed somewhat, but they still tend to look for people with low self-esteem that they can brow-beat into submission, so they can pocket all the profits for themselves.

I think the Chamber is the best place to work. Ever. Especially if you are interested in progress in Oklahoma City and enthusiastic about the growth and success of our hometown.

How do you get a job at the Chamber?

Many a marriage/relationship has been ruined by [a la Camode], most headhunters know about the bad reputation they have there. I've heard that the environment has changed somewhat, but they still tend to look for people with low self-esteem that they can brow-beat into submission, so they can pocket all the profits for themselves.



Yep - not to mention, the low salary they start you out at.....that's interesting the type of people they "look for"....Wonder if that trickles into their HR Dept....hmmm

Many a marriage/relationship has been ruined by [a la Camode], most headhunters know about the bad reputation they have there. I've heard that the environment has changed somewhat, but they still tend to look for people with low self-esteem that they can brow-beat into submission, so they can pocket all the profits for themselves.

I came *that* close to putting in for a development job there about two or three years ago, until I put a few feelers out and the feedback came back uniequivocally negative...cots in the back was the dealbreaker. Did something kinda like that a few years ago at one shop, realized I was ridiculously naive about what I was promised in terms of workgroup staffing, and ended up writing an entire project by myself. Not gonna do THAT again...

My current job isn't the sexiest, but I've got a great boss, I have absolutely regular hours, a pension plan, employer-matched savings, and am home to be with my family every night. Hard to put a price on that.

I'm surprised no one has brought up Ackerman-McQueen as a "worst place." Talk about your chop shop. The place is a veritable revolving door of advertising/marketing folks. Work there and grow some very thick skin. Late hours, low pay, and lots of getting yelled at. A circus of fun!

I've heard that too about Ackerman, although that's kind of across the board for ad agencies.

I've heard that too about Ackerman, although that's kind of across the board for ad agencies.

It certainly can be, especially in other markets. In OKC, though, AM really has the reputation for it's revolving door.

I've heard that too about Ackerman, although that's kind of across the board for ad agencies.

Not necessarily. I know several people who have worked for MUCH larger and more respected agencies than A/M in other cities (even countries). The A/M culture is unique to A/M, and is directly created by its leadership.

They act like they are much more important to the world of advertising than they actually are, and their strange, draconian office culture is out of step with how the big, reputable creative shops do business today. It's an anachronism fueled by political muscle.

Not necessarily. I know several people who have worked for MUCH larger and more respected agencies than A/M in other cities (even countries). The A/M culture is unique to A/M, and is directly created by its leadership.

They act like they are much more important to the world of advertising than they actually are, and their strange, draconian office culture is out of step with how the big, reputable creative shops do business today. It's an anachronism fueled by political muscle.What you say about A/M may all be true. But you have to admit one thing. They were important enough, and have more than enough political muscle to get a river renamed. Well some of it anyway.

hey were important enough, and have more than enough political muscle to get a river renamed.

Wow! They got a river renamed for one mile of its length. That must take some special mojo. I'm sure the folks at Leo Burnett, BBDO, and J Walter Thompson are shivering in their boots due to this competition blowing in from the plains.

What you say just illustrates my point. A/M is good at moving local politicos around. Not so much at being a world-class advertising agency.

Wow! They got a river renamed for one mile of its length. That must take some special mojo. I'm sure the folks at Leo Burnett, BBDO, and J Walter Thompson are shivering in their boots due to this competition blowing in from the plains.

What you say just illustrates my point. A/M is good at moving local politicos around. Not so much at being a world-class advertising agency.I was trying to illustrate your point. In a twisted kind of way.

Hey bandnerd when did you teach in Mid-Del schools. I was there from 1993-2004 in one of the Jr. Highs. I was wondering if your situation was the same as mine before I left.

2004-2005. We just missed each other :P

I happen to know that Ackerman McQueen can provide excellent training and many employees (including myself) moved onto bigger and better ad agencies. Its a trend in the advertising industry to be a "sweatshop" - long hours, horrible pay. Because if you won't take a crappy salary to work in the "oh-so-glamourous" world of advertising - someone else will.

As far as AM's pull here in OKC - yes they have a lot. But at the end of the day - their Clients make the decisions.

a la mode....worst place to work.

Let me first state that I am a current a la mode employee and have been for 7 years now. I have worked in every department except Sales or Marketing. With that being said, I think you guys have it all wrong. Granted those who have worked here very easily could have had a bad experience, what company doesn't have that. I won't debate that issue but I will explain the facts.

Developers expected to pull all-nighters to meet deadlines... a la mode is a very agile development group. Depending on when you were here, based on your statement of cots, I assume you were at Waterwood, you may have experienced something completely different. Our developers currently average 40 -50 hours a week, with most towards the 40-45 range. Yes occasionally we will pull all nighters in order to get a product out the door for a tradeshow or other rare occasions, but what company doesn't do that. We have two sleeping rooms in our offices now (Memorial Rd) but they are more often used by techs during their lunch breaks and naps than developers. Back in the day, 2001, in the final crunch of the flagship product (version 5) there were several all-nighters. But even the owner of the company himself was there pulling those same all nighters. That should say a lot....We work hard but we play hard too

Just some quick facts that really suck:

1. a la mode pays for the employee health insurance (vision, dental, health)
2. They matched up to 125% of what the employee put in up to 6% of their salary. This has just changed, but is still good. Vested from day 1.
3. If you have been there for 5 years, you get 3 weeks paid vacation. 1 week at a year and 2 weeks at 2 or 3 years. I think, I can't remember as it doesn't apply to me (the lower amounts)
4. Free Food The owner of the company pays for a company to stock our fridges with breakfast and lunch (could be dinner as well). Coffee (even the fufu, Flavia), Pop and water also provided free of charge.
5. Christmas bonus that grows on the number of years you have worked there. I have seen the owner hand a support technician a $10K Christmas bonus.
6. Recently added (within a year)- Birthday gift. What did your company give you for your birthday? Just another sign they appreciate us.

I don't know about you, but if you can find a job that equals or beats that, let me know.

Many a marriage/relationship has been ruined by [a la Camode] WOW, such a harsh statement. No offense, but a la mode didn't cause the marriage to break up, the persons involved caused that. I have been married for 6 years and my marriage is perfectly fine. People whom choose to cheat on their spouses are responsible for their marriages breaking up, not the workplace. There are very few companies that can say employees are not having extra-marital affairs.

This is not a flame, but these are some pretty harsh generalizations that frankly are not true. I don't doubt there are people whom dislike a la mode for one reason or another. Don't get me wrong it is very stressful at times, but based on the items I mentioned above and others that I didn't, I think I have shown that the company is very generous as well.

a la mode....worst place to work.

Let me first state that I am a current a la mode employee and have been for 7 years now. I have worked in every department except Sales or Marketing. With that being said, I think you guys have it all wrong. Granted those who have worked here very easily could have had a bad experience, what company doesn't have that. I won't debate that issue but I will explain the facts..........

You'll wake up one day, and realize how wrong you are. I've worked in just about every shop in this town. CAMODE IS THE WORST!

Am surprised to see people list Hertz as a candidate for worst company.

Call center gigs are hellish enough but not sure you could pin the blame on Hertz. Their corporate locations (airports) are famous for being horrendous especially for college grads thinking they're getting somewhere in management....but the call center....surely there must be worst places on the reservation.

I know someone that just went through their training course and out of 18, only 6 are still there (eight weeks later). Says as much about the quality of employee as well as the gig and pay.

You'll wake up one day, and realize how wrong you are. I've worked in just about every shop in this town. CAMODE IS THE WORST!

Maybe that says something about yourself, that you have worked in every shop in town. There are several employees that have been here for 5+ years so it obviously isn't as bad as you mention but maybe you had a bad experience. You are entitled to your opinion and I will respect that, regardless of whether I agree with it or not. I just wanted to set some facts straight so that people have a fair assessment of the company.

It's called contract programming. I've been at my current gig for 4 years. Every recruiter in town has a black mark next to Camode.

I'll allow you your right to bend over and take it.

This is like watching inmates at a mental facility argue over which padded room has the most comfortable "I love me" jacket.

Anyone work at York????
Just wondering...

a la mode....worst place to work.
3. If you have been there for 5 years, you get 3 weeks paid vacation. 1 week at a year and 2 weeks at 2 or 3 years. I think, I can't remember as it doesn't apply to me (the lower amounts)


One week for new people? That is probably one of the more pathetic vacation plans I've seen in awhile. I would hope there are still plenty of paid holidays where the employees don't have to work.

I believe it is 1 or 2 weeks at a year, I really haven't paid attention, since it doesn't apply to me. And yes, we get paid holidays however, with it mainly being a call center, not as many as say the government.

This group seems to be pretty negative and focus soley on those issues. Every job is going to have something one way or another that you don't agree with. I am not sure there is any "perfect" job. However, the positives of a la mode do outweigh the negatives....at least in my opinion.

Anyone work at York????
Just wondering...


I did Cindy, but I was contract - assisting them with their Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. I was there for 7 months and worked with a great group. I know Johnsons Control bought them and not sure how it is now....

It is pretty easy to figure out the places not to work..

Just look in the paper or online for job listings..

The places that are always listing the same jobs have to have some type of problem..

I see Hertz, Schwanns..Pepsi...Alamode...Telefloral...all the time..

These places must run the same adds over and over...

I've heard nothing but bad things about Hertz which surprised me. Retail sales has to rank high on the hate list with the long hours, low wages and customer service issues...but you get a 10 percent discount...

I did a search but nothing came up, is there a best place to work thread? If so, that's what i want to see.

never mind, i found it.

Anybody know anything about Chromalloy?

Mid-Del schools. For many, many reasons I will never go back and I will never recommend a teacher go there.

That's not true at all. Mid-Del tries very hard to treat it's employees right. If you are the lady that taught at Del Crest a few years ago, then all I can say is that the performance of the group spoke for itself...which is why it was known very early in the year that you would not be back. That's not a slap to you though. It's a tough school and a horrible place to start your teaching career at. It's the kind of place that you have to fit into, and most don't. Hopefully you've since found a better fit, but don't judge the whole district on a school such as that. Mid-Del has so many teachers with 20+ years in the district, it must have something going for it.

That's not true at all. Mid-Del tries very hard to treat it's employees right. If you are the lady that taught at Del Crest a few years ago, then all I can say is that the performance of the group spoke for itself...which is why it was known very early in the year that you would not be back. That's not a slap to you though. It's a tough school and a horrible place to start your teaching career at. It's the kind of place that you have to fit into, and most don't. Hopefully you've since found a better fit, but don't judge the whole district on a school such as that. Mid-Del has so many teachers with 20+ years in the district, it must have something going for it.

I'll agree. Mid-Del schools have a reputation of getting teachers and keeping teachers. I'd like to see a district with more nationally board certified teachers. Plus.. i'm a little bias, I've spent 11 years in those schools, 2 other years in the putnam city district.

How about VisionQuest marketing or any telemarketing places for that matter :))
And I have to disagree too about Mid-Del schools, I have a lot of family in Midwest City, my cousin is a music teacher at one of the high schools, her daughter I think is in that district too as an elementary teacher, maybe like someone pointed out it was the school you were at bandnerd, but it sounds like you have moved on to a good situation for you over at Harding.

Hi all - thought this would be an interesting topic. OK - I'll start:

Hobby Lobby Corporate. The more they grew, the more "untrusting" they became. A lot of the "Managers" there didn't treat their employees with much respect. The only reason this would be an issue is because of their "Christian" platform. Apparently the Do Unto Others motto does not apply to them. That place was definitely full of Hypocrites...

Christian doesn't seem to have anything to do with good management. You wouldn't believe how poorly the administration at Henderson Hills Baptist Church has treated its janitorial staff in the past. Like inviting them to the company picnic, like fellow employees, and then treating them like hired caterers instead, when they actually showed up. Like being so embarrassed over the condition of one employee's car that he wasn't actually allowed to park it on the grounds of the church, although I heard maybe he was later allowed to park it somewhere inconvenient, but hidden from view. Like turning off the air conditioning in the church building and making them work without it all afternoon and evening during the worst heat of the summer. By generally just not speaking to them like they're people.

I'm only saying this now in hopes that someone there will see himself and change, if it hasn't changed already. These guys need to know that church doesn't stop on Sunday, and if they're going to run a business of sorts during the week, they need to remember they have a staff that consists of more than just those who work in their offices. They need to be treated with respect and consideration as well.

Doesn't surprise me about Henderson Hills.

You just can't have a trashy car in the parking lot of a country club. Oh, what? You say it's a church?

Christian doesn't seem to have anything to do with good management. You wouldn't believe how poorly the administration at Henderson Hills Baptist Church has treated its janitorial staff in the past. Like inviting them to the company picnic, like fellow employees, and then treating them like hired caterers instead, when they actually showed up. Like being so embarrassed over the condition of one employee's car that he wasn't actually allowed to park it on the grounds of the church, although I heard maybe he was later allowed to park it somewhere inconvenient, but hidden from view. Like turning off the air conditioning in the church building and making them work without it all afternoon and evening during the worst heat of the summer. By generally just not speaking to them like they're people.

I'm only saying this now in hopes that someone there will see himself and change, if it hasn't changed already. These guys need to know that church doesn't stop on Sunday, and if they're going to run a business of sorts during the week, they need to remember they have a staff that consists of more than just those who work in their offices. They need to be treated with respect and consideration as well.Look there is an easy fix to the employee ugly car issue. What they need to do is this. Skip lunch one day and run over to the Christain book store. Go in and pick-up one of those Sign Of The Fish decals. Slap that baby on the back window. Give it a minute for the transition from ugly to devine to take affect. Head back to work and park where ever the hell they want. No one will say a word.

Christian doesn't seem to have anything to do with good management. You wouldn't believe how poorly the administration at Henderson Hills Baptist Church has treated its janitorial staff in the past. Like inviting them to the company picnic, like fellow employees, and then treating them like hired caterers instead, when they actually showed up. Like being so embarrassed over the condition of one employee's car that he wasn't actually allowed to park it on the grounds of the church, although I heard maybe he was later allowed to park it somewhere inconvenient, but hidden from view. Like turning off the air conditioning in the church building and making them work without it all afternoon and evening during the worst heat of the summer. By generally just not speaking to them like they're people.

I'm only saying this now in hopes that someone there will see himself and change, if it hasn't changed already. These guys need to know that church doesn't stop on Sunday, and if they're going to run a business of sorts during the week, they need to remember they have a staff that consists of more than just those who work in their offices. They need to be treated with respect and consideration as well.


Great post jsibelius!! I like being made aware of stuff like this. Not because I ever plan to work there....Some people can't stand "thieves", my pet peeve is "Hypocrites", and though businesses need to be ran as "business", we should all never forget how to truly treat human beings. The Churches tell us to love thy neighbor, but not your employee's????????????

Dillards Penn Square Mall. I would throw a party if it should ever burn to the ground.
Also, County Line BBQ. May they rot.

I couldn't agree more. I worked in men's denim and it was a friggin nightmare. My boss was Paul. We called him Destro though, because of his big bald head. Kind of like the bad guy from GI Joe with the big silver head.

Man, his breath was freaking horrible.

I worst job I ever had was serving at Red Lobster. Granted, I made a lot of money in the process, I just didn't care for the management and atmosphere (they were 86 competent managers). Does anyone else have experience with Red Lobster or serving in restaurants?