Pros
Absolutely none. Really. There are none.
Cons
The following is my opinion: Howden in Renfrew and South Africa appeared to be fairly normal, while operations in USA and Canada are a different story. The Howden BU in Saint Bruno (Howden Covent) is no where near the Howden as presented on their corporate website. It's an cesspool and should be avoided, unless it is the only possible job you can find. If customers knew what was going on there, they would buy elsewhere. Believe me, you'll be more fulfilled cleaning toilets at the Zoo rather than working there. Employees are barely given the resources needed to perform their jobs adequately. Director sits in his office with the door closed all day, every day, hiding from all the employees, customers and suppliers he has cheated, abused and harassed. Only pops out for meetings and to give people hell, or demonstrate how stupid they are for not being more like him. This is a company that only takes, rarely gives. Cheap, Cheap, Cheap !! Director won't spend money on anything he considers non-essential (even things like basic PPE) because it will impact his bonus, which is the number only priority. I'm amazed people are not forced to supply their own pens ! Even if one sacrifices weekends for savings on travel, their pay will be docked if any time is missed. Zero flexibility with hours. All employees are on a punch card, salary or not, and your hours are reviewed at the end of the week ! Missed time is docked from your pay, but overtime is not paid either. Director trusts no one...except for the 1 or 2 in his inner circle. Extreme micro-management. Unit is run with a mentality and tools from the eighties. Shop workers are well below pay for the area, in many cases have to provide their own tools and are working in unsanitary and unsafe conditions. They need to be Unionized !! Director is abusive, hostile, condescending and unable to see anything past his own ego. Mother Howden completely in the dark and frankly, uninterested. They buy a company, stick posters on the wall and call them Howden. Little follow-up to ensure businesses are aligned with the corporate culture. As long as financial KPI are good, they don't care how the business is run. Very high employee turnover. If you value your dignity, do not quit where you are working to go there. Where you are now could not possibly be worse. Trust me !
