Nurturing community - Avis employé Software Engineer(Internship) Air Spares Unlimited

I enjoy the challenge of a start-up environment so I knew what to expect when I joined. The company has since moved past that stage and continues to build on a solid business platform. The compensation and benefits packages are generous and the office location is appealing but the biggest positive is the culture. Leadership has consistently stressed the company values and it’s evident when you communicate with the employees. They exemplify what can be accomplished when you work together toward a common goal. I appreciate the “open door” policy and the fact that everyone has a voice in their future. It’s nice to feel that you are part of an environment that cares as much about you as the success of the company.

Having been involved in past startups, I understand the pitfalls and the growing pains. When I arrived, processes needed refinement and the company relied heavily on ownership. That has changed as more senior management has joined the organization.

The small team creates a family-like feel. It is a great stepping stone to get experience to move on to your next opportunity. The location is good with easy access to CTA trains, buses, and plenty of restaurants and coffee shops. They pay 90% of your health insurance as well.

Management does not care about the well-being of their employees in any way. You are a cog in their machine, and your one job is to make the owners more and more money. The owners have no idea how to run a business both from a managerial perspective as well as financially. As such a small company, there is no HR, thus allowing the owners to do and say whatever they please. This leads to a hostile work environment with management acting both unprofessionally and disrespectfully. Every day is tense. The turnover rate is over 100% with at least one person on this small team leaving every month. The salary is low, the bonus structure is unfair to the software team, and the commission structure is unfair to the sales team. The benefits are standard for a small company with 10-15 PTO days, 401k, and health insurance. There is no sick day policy, dental insurance, and work from home days are strictly prohibited. Upward mobility within the company is nonexistent and opportunities to travel are minimal.