Today we look at four top companies from the U.S. Logistics Industry – DHL, FedEx, UPS, and XPO Logistics. We’ll look behind-the-scenes at how the employees of these companies feel about working for them: how they feel about they paychecks, their benefits, and the feeling of walking into work ever day. Using Comparably’s employee-submitted reviews and ratings, we can paint a picture of employee satisfaction at each company.
OVERALL CULTURE
A tie in the first category for Overall Culture. FedEx and XPO Logistics both rated a B+ from their employees, indicating b overall satisfaction. UPS and DHL both scored in the C range. DHL’s score, the lowest, is only 10 points behind the winning scores from XPO and FedEx.
DHL: “The warehouse is too hot the lunch breaks are too short and the concrete floor is too hard on your feet.”
FedEx: “I’m a driver. My environment is the cab of my truck. It’s as positive as I choose it to be.”
UPS: “The culture of management looking down on all the hourly employees needs to completely end. The hourly employees of the company are the heart and soul of this business. When no one cares how the day to day operation runs the customers and the employees hurt.”
XPO Logistics: “Through all of the challenges, we get it done and work together. My warehouse team is my family.”
CEO
DHL’s chief executive, Ken Allen, wins the trophy in the CEO category by just a hair. FedEx’s Frederick Smith and XPO’s Bradley Jacobs scored just three and five points behind Allen, serving to make the score for UPS’ David Abney seem even more disappointing.
DHL: “Visionary leadership.”
FedEx: “Fred Smith is viewed as a genius, which he is, really. They grow the company with virtually no mistakes. Only problem is communication sometimes from higher up.”
UPS: “I started a little over 10 years ago, and our present CEO has more than doubled his pay compared to his predecessor, and has demonstrated repeatedly that the only people he cares about are on Wall St.”
XPO Logistics: “Sometimes it seems he’s too far away and isn’t concerned about us at the individual level. He’s busy with trying to keep the different groups going.”
COMPENSATION
With a B+ in the Compensation category, UPS pulls down its first win of the day. XPO Logistics and FedEx also rated scores that show general appreciation from their respective staffs. And DHL is in the basement for Compensation, rating a low C.
DHL: “I am compensated for working second shift even though I am salaried, which isn’t something most employers offer.”
FedEx: “They MAKE SURE you are paid. Not once have I been left unfairly paid. Even after being hurt.”
UPS: “The raises are nice and the money is good.”
XPO Logistics: “The company is not realistic in the peer or industry comparisons for salaries. IT staff are underpaid and technical certifications or security clearances are not taken into consideration for compensation.”
PERKS & BENEFITS
XPO Logistics takes the trophy for its Perks & Benefits package. They beat runner-up UPS by two points and third-place performer FedEx by five. Again, DHL brings up the rear with a very low score.
DHL: “Good benefits, bonus, no limit on sick days.”
FedEx: “We’re an airline, so we have benefits with other airlines and hotels. We also get corporate discounts with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint of 23%.”
UPS: “The ability to work as many hours as you want. If you work hard you will be given more work. Money is easy to come by if you’re a full time employee. However, finding the time to enjoy is not.”
XPO Logistics: “I would love if the company offered the first few shares of stock at no charge to employees or provided end of year bonuses for employees.”
DIVERSITY
FedEx wins a trophy with a respectable B in the Diversity category. All three of FedEx’s competitors tied for second (and last) place, all with C+ ratings from their employees.
DHL: “We have a multi-national multi-cultural environment. Typical meeting may have an American, Italian, German, Chinese and Indian all in the same team. DHL is a great place to work.”
FedEx: “A lot of diversity. All different types of people and different cultures.”
UPS: “Vast diversity. Big, small, male, female, all races, all religions, sexual orientation, old, young and physical disabled.”
XPO Logistics: “Many races, many nationalities and many interesting characters. I think we have people from every corner of the planet.”
OUTLOOK
DHL: “Dot.com is growing and everywhere else is having difficulties, especially the Non Con area.”
FedEx: “There was a time when we had bowling leagues, golf leagues and other team building activities. No one in management is supporting this.”
UPS: “They’re pretty entrenched in the economy and have a solid infrastructure. Domestically, they are the 800 lb gorilla in this space, and e-commerce is keeping them busy. And…until we can get to the technology of Star Trek “transporters,” I think they’re going to be around for a long while.”
XPO Logistics: “I’m excited about the challenges of getting the work done. Clearing the back log. Coming up with new & better ways to resolve issues. Helping people resolving problems.”
Tying for first place in the Outlook category and winning the whole contest with three trophies is XPO Logistics. But this was a close competition: FedEx and DHL each took two wins, and UPS took one. The indication is that a vaguely unremarkable culture is a common feature of this particular industry, and that there’s no clear winner here in terms of which company is keeping the most modern standards.
