What a joke RUN and don't look back - Sales Representative Fastenal Employee Review

1.0
May 16, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You learn a lot about many aspects of doing business. Fellow employees all feel like they get kicked in the teeth like you so you have something in common

Cons

I could write a book on how big of a failure this company is. Lets start with the CEO bragging about how much money is being made while they slowly make their compensation programs worse and worse for sales agents. Great Christmas bonus (Box of old crappy candy I would have rather had the ten dollars to buy something healthy). Morale is at an all time low. Constant feeling that you are getting fired. ........

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Mar 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

It was a fun job to do when I just turned 18

Cons

Hard labor, gets quite boring after a while

3.0
Jun 9, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They offer training programs through their internal “Fastenal School of Business.” A few good mentors to guide you should you find one and if you’re willing.

Cons

* Work/Life Balance - No official WFH opportunities. Branch employees were told to report, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 15 days of PTO (10 for vacation and 5 for sick). You don’t earn additional PTO until the start of the year following your 5 year anniversary. * Pay - pay is inconsistent and they find reasons to change your pay by eliminating and changing titles. Pay is below industry standard and is a base + bonus program for most roles. * Boys Club - Especially in MN/WI area. Positions created or filled for cast off tenured employees to find them another spot rather than termination. Promotions based on political moves instead of merit or opportunities for growth. Positions posted for new roles internally but sometimes not shared with teams to allow for those politically motivated decisons to fill a spot. If a role is only posted for 1-week vs 2-weeks, it usually means they have a specific candidate in mind to take that role. * Cheap & Tacky - Required to travel but not all meals are covered. Welcome to stay at hotel that offers free breakfast but no per diem for lunch or dinner. Some meetings or trainings might provide lunch. When traveling for team meetings or trainings, usually required to share rooms - sometimes with other employees you’ve never met. Encouraged to book rooms using discount codes provided by customers. There is a target room rate they’d like you to hit and sometimes it means driving out of the way. They’d rather the expense hit elsewhere such as fuel and travel versus the room rate.

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