Q&A With Barrett Business Services Employees

Pay is ok, you're promised bonus and profit sharing but there's always a reason why it's never paid out. It's always beyond your control.

Starting pay is decent. What they don't tell you is that you will never get a raise ever. So negotiate well when you're good because that's the end. They also talk a great game about bonuses... however the bonus plan is not in writing (and I've asked at least 4 times for a copy) and every quarter you find out through the grapevine you again didn't make the bonus because of "something" that happened. (They're never clear or specific and when you ask questions you're treated as if you were the enemy.)

The HR team is very helpful and knowledgeable.

It depends on the circumstances and who is working from home. In the HR department some are permitted to work from home and are never questioned while others are followed by a private investigator to get caught working from home and are severely reprimanded or fired for doing it.

definitely don't try... you're better off not getting hired here!

Backstabbing, infighting is the norm.

HR? What's HR? The leadership does NOT care about their people.

Diversity is rather limited.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest... Let's just say that unless you're in the "favorite" group, your morale is probably sunk into the negative.

Think of a giant fishbowl.

Fear, intimidation. Very old school, not progressive. Don't bother suggesting anything new or innovative - they aren't interested.

The rule by fear and intimidation.

In general, there is a lack of a sense of teamwork and trust. Most consider management to be a joke. However, at the heart of the matter, most feel the base pay is decent and it's the only reason most people stay.

Topical at best. Be careful what you're promised, they will tell you anything. (Even if you get it in writing, you may not actually receive what you were promised.)

Start by remembering that employees are your most valuable resource. If they are engaged and felt cared about, they will actually provide great results. Think about things like the terrible benefits, no raises, no promotions, no growth or educational opportunities, mileage way under the federal rate, lack of transparency, lack of accountability at the highest levels. Next, allow employees to provide anonymous feedback. Remember, the target hiring group is highly degreed and experienced professionals. Don't talk down to us, instead, actually read the feedback and share/disseminate it to the employees. (There's currently no atmosphere of trust, so it will be important for management to actually prove that they are listening and willing to respond.) It will take a lot of work to turn this organization around. Need to start at the top.

Most people think the CEO and corporate office is a bit of a joke. However, after time, you learn that feedback is NOT welcome and those who speak up tend to find themselves fired.

They expect your total loyalty and devotion but aren't willing to return the favor and provide balance.

Sort of. Depends on who you know.

There is no such thing as promotions or raises. Ever. (Seriously.)

Extremely light. No vacation time in the first year for FT internal employees. 1 week after a year, 2 weeks after 2. They claim they offer lots of flexibility -- don't be fooled. They don't.

Solicit feedback anonymously from employees. Be honest about what you hear and actually upon it in writing.

Listening & accepting feedback. It may not be feedback you're willing to hear, but when one empl says it, you can bet a 100 are thinking it

There's no realistic measure of personal success, an unclear bonus policy, no raises/promotions -- how can you expect people to be motivated

Meetings are nothing more than corp ra-ra sessions. If questions are asked, answers are condescending. No agendas, no real accomplishments