Pros
Coworkers - I work with fantastic people! Some of my colleagues are also now some of my closest friends. Pay - I don't know what anyone else gets paid (nor is it any of my business), but I get paid very well, especially compared to the average San Antonio income. Benefits - Insurance coverage is better than most. Size - Small enough that you know most people in the company, and they know you. You feel like someone, not just a number, especially when the General Manager or President passes you in the hall and greets you by name. Security/Stability - This company isn't going anywhere. So there is a strong sense of job security. Constant Challenge - You might think that Food Service sounds pretty simple or maybe even dull. You'd be wrong! Food Service has a sprinkling of so many different business and technical aspects (e.g., sales, purchasing, marketing, IT, operations, etc.), and making sure that all those moving parts are coordinated effectively and working efficiently is quite a challenge. You’re challenged to the extent you prove that you can be. In other words, if your work and attitude indicate you've reached your potential, then don’t expect to be given more responsibilities and new challenges. Quality work is rewarded. When applying for college and trying to understand the true difference between a very selective school and a more “accessible” school, I was reminded that a school is what the students make it. If you get a bunch of high-achieving scholars together in a classroom, you’re experience during a year of Philosophy will be quite different than if you were in a room full of average students. The same is true for a company. A company is what its leaders and employees make it. Labatt strives to hire top candidates in every area of the business. And for the most part, it succeeds.
Kontras
There is not as much vacation time as is offered at other companies. It's rarely an issue for me, though, as my husband is in a similar situation. And frankly sometimes time away is stressful. Labatt isn't full of entire departments of people doing the exact same job. So if you're out, your work piles up (there's that job security again). Hard work does not always equal reward. This is a follow up to one of the Pros. Someone can put in lots of hours and work very hard, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are doing a good job. So simply "putting in the time" doesn't mean you'll be promoted or given a raise. You have to work smart. "Work smarter, not harder." Brutal Honesty – If you need improvement somewhere, you’ll be told so usually without any sugar-coating. It can be a difficult pill to swallow for anyone who is sensitive or is not very self-aware. It’s kind of a tough love situation. Some people thrive from it, some people don’t. I've always done well under leadership like that, though. It gives me the motivation to prove them wrong. Besides if a manager or executive is taking time out of his/her day to go over areas you can improve, you can usually take it as a compliment. It means they think you are capable of more. It’s not necessarily specific to Labatt as it’s true of any company, but your experience can be largely influenced by your manager or direct report. I am lucky enough to have a manager who is confident enough in my abilities to let me work pretty independently, who recognizes when I need more of a challenge, who doesn't micro-manage, and who is fair and consistent. But there are others who range from micro-managing their employees to practically not managing them at all. It can make for a frustrating work life for those managers' employees as well as employees who witness that style (e.g., seeing one employee get away with having an awful attitude because the manager doesn't manage them while another employee may get a dirty look for leaving a little early). In my opinion, though, you are in charge of your own fate and life at the company. If you have great work ethic and do outstanding work, then it doesn't matter who your manager is. You will be noticed.