jobbite
This company also owns other mail order gardening and gift brands, such as Spring Hill, Michigan Bulb, Breck's, Gurney's, Henry Fields, Thompson and Morgan, Paragon, and others. My experience working for the company has been less than stellar, to say the least. Though it's a growing company with an annual business of more than $100 mil (according to the owner), it still operates like a mom and pop shop. Computers and other equipment are dated and management all but refuses to update these items. Tech support is exceptionally lacking, despite the fact that the company employs people in multiple locations and in an offshore office. Management is non-communicative, with the exception of a biannual "communications" meeting which generally involves upper management droning about increased efficiency and shipping time, with the occasional inappropriate and sexist joke thrown in. Employee input is not solicited or valued and, in fact, has been known to result in penalties. Advancement opportunities are nil. Company continually acquires new brands without planning for increased staff workload, resulting in a staff that is increasingly overworked and underpaid.
Pay is not competitive. Starting salaries are much lower than the national or even regional averages, and annual pay increases are basically non-existent. In the rare instance that it is available, management considers a "good" raise to be the minimum 2.5% cost of living increase. Company only offers the minimum 8 paid vacation days per year. New employees receive no paid vacation in their first year. Health benefits do exist but are not great. 401K is offered to employees only after they have been with the company for a full year, though many employees are so underpaid that they cannot afford to contribute to this plan.