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Career Management

by Toni Bowers, Head Blogs Editor
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Is it a coincidence that four out of five of the companies that made Edugree’s list of the worst companies to work for are also, at least in my opinion, the worst companies to do business with? Decide for yourself-here are the companies that made the top five.

Home Depot-At one time Home Depot had personnel that could answer product questions. According to the article on Edugree.com, these folks were canned in favor of cheaper labor. “After firing all of their decent staff, they took or severely cut back any worthwhile employee benefits and incentives; merit badges worth $20 each, tuition reimbursement, dental, employee discounts, Christmas bonuses (now just a coupon) credit signup bonuses etc.” Nice.

AOL-Have you ever tried to disengage yourself from AOL? You can’t. I swear their customer service reps are either stalkers or former loan sharks. According to the article, AOL trains employees on how to charge credit cards of those trying to cancel their accounts.

Best Buy-The article states that Best Buy forces “employees to practice questionable ethics.” I don’t know how, or if, they do that (see yesterday’s blog for more details about BestBuy), but I know that they have the longest check-out lines in the history of mankind.

McDonald’s-Edugree, you dare criticize the entity that brought us Big Macs and Happy Meals? You say that “McDonald’s is host to incompetent supervisors where ‘mediocrity is looked up to, but never quite achieved.’” That may be, but their coffee is good.

Verizon-Note to anyone who may be in the market for a new cell plan. The term “free upgrade” does not mean the same to Verizon as it may to you. Oh yeah, and I lied about Best Buy having the longest check-out lanes in the history of mankind. That honor definitely goes to Verizon. The Edugree article says that Verizon is guilty of “freezing pensions by e-mail and that the poor top-down management has caused some of the lowest morale ever in a company.”

For more on these companies, see the complete list here.

Toni BowersToni Bowers is the Head Blogs Editor of TechRepublic. She has been in the publishing industry for 20 years, with concentration in IT-related topics. She has edited newsletters, books, and web sites pertaining to software, IT career, and IT management issues.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this blog

First-hand experience trying to dump AOL mmoran@... | 07/12/07
I ended up cancelling my credit card... Locrian_Lyric | 07/12/07
Never ran in to a problem. Hammer70 | 07/12/07
Message has been deleted. multilayer@... | 05/12/08
When I was young and foolish NickNielsen | 07/12/07
You can cry all you want jdclyde | 07/12/07
Been there, done that NickNielsen | 07/12/07
I had a worse problem with a landlord rhomp2002@... | 07/13/07
NICE!!!! meryllogue@... | 07/13/07
Too Funny - But the same Double DeBo | 07/13/07
Same experience for me SObaldrick | 07/26/07
Same here minizilla@... | 01/11/08
AOL rmahre@... | 04/21/08
Worst job mjd420nova | 07/12/07
Could be something else NickNielsen | 07/12/07
Target samtsfield@... | 07/16/07
Add Walmart and Costco to that list Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
Let's not insult the mentally challanged Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
Checkers get paid by the hour and they know it. crazijoe | 07/17/07
While I can't go into specifics TiggerTwo | 07/16/07
Target... network admin | 05/22/08
Indeed they do NotSoChiGuy | 05/22/08
Verizon Wireless snowey@... | 03/30/08
I would put Verizon on this list saabmanic@... | 07/20/08
My cancelation retro77@... | 07/13/07
Having worked for Verizon as a contractor... Sereniti | 07/16/07
While I don't have your experience TiggerTwo | 07/16/07
I'm surprised that Blockbuster is not on the list Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
This happened to me once, normhaga@... | 07/23/07
Did anyone mention Circuit City? Dr Dij | 07/18/07
I call them "Suck-It City" Big Ole Jack | 07/19/07
The source by suck-it city Oz_Media | 07/19/07
RS started to take the slide in the 80's jrwhalley | 07/19/07
Major changes here NickNielsen | 07/20/07
Circus City Yardbyrd | 07/25/07
Circuit City rhomp2002@... | 05/02/08
Hurry up lady djskatkat@... | 03/25/08
Stick to working for a small business instead johnm41 | 05/02/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for jadine@... | 07/12/07
Read the AOL part again toni.bowers_b | 07/12/07
in SPADES! Locrian_Lyric | 07/12/07
Quitting over ethics Menopausal | 07/16/07
I'll second that! jrwhalley | 07/19/07
Office Depot in the '90s Sereniti | 07/16/07
I would have reported him and Office Depot to the BSA Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
Unfortunately, back then I didn't know how Sereniti | 07/18/07
I had to cancel my credit card to get the AOL monkey off my back Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
Re: I had to cancel my credit card to get the AOL monkey off my back salidarx@... | 07/16/07
This was over a decade ago. I dumped AOL for good... Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
Add DCM to the list work4thebest@... | 09/21/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for DanLM | 07/12/07
Meijers toni.bowers_b | 07/12/07
Meijers - Also rates a "0" for gay employment issues mark@... | 04/25/08
Most Unorganized Company Decissions@... | 12/05/08
I refuse to shop at Best Buy jdclyde | 07/12/07
I support the mom and pop stores whenever I can. Locrian_Lyric | 07/12/07
Always for Appliances JohnnySacks | 07/16/07
Local is the way to go jdclyde | 07/16/07
CompUSA closed the local branch in my neighborhood Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
even their cables were overpriced Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
"Overpriced" is relative.... support@... | 07/16/07
When I have to pay 20 dollars for cables I can get elsewhere for 10 Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
Wasn't Nice to CompUSA Double DeBo | 07/23/07
I didn't know that. DanLM | 07/13/07
Hmmm, maybe I'll just be a thorn in thier side. Locrian_Lyric | 07/13/07
Devil in Angel's wings Larry the Security Guy | 07/13/07
I love your attitude Dmystify | 07/16/07
You're darn right I keep telemarketers tied up! Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
You're darn right I keep telemarketers tied up! Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
If it's a female telemarketer, I start getting very fresh with her Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!! Double DeBo | 07/23/07
You know thats illegal though, right? Oz_Media | 08/28/08
Customer Profiling Labuiacs | 07/13/07
I used to love the place when it first opened jdclyde | 07/16/07
Dan... Inkling | 07/16/07
Re: I didn't know that. JessMarie526@... | 04/03/08
I've returned 2 items without buying the warranty. dave.p.roberts@... | 07/16/07
me too pixelsurge | 07/16/07
Didn't read the articles, did you? jdclyde | 07/16/07
Clark Howard Inkling | 07/16/07
bummed when they bumped his program back jdclyde | 07/17/07
Fry's Electronics is worse TechTitan | 07/17/07
Best Buy JessMarie526@... | 04/03/08
I Agree Skeenj | 07/16/07
Best Buy /Future Shop Oz_Media | 07/18/07
Just two weeks ago JamesRL | 07/18/07
Do you have Trail there? Oz_Media | 07/18/07
No we don't JamesRL | 07/18/07
Bait and switch / Fliers jdclyde | 07/19/07
BUT Oz_Media | 07/19/07
Message has been deleted. max_4423@... | 01/07/08
Alright, spam-boy NickNielsen | 01/08/08
Best Buy Lies Amonra | 07/23/07
Rose amidst thorns DigitalFrog | 07/25/07
Best Buy "Free" installation Alchemist-Joat | 08/06/07
pure bull theunnameable@... | 01/05/08
But, as you said NickNielsen | 01/06/08
Re: I refuse to shop at Best Buy JessMarie526@... | 04/03/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for electronics_md@... | 07/12/07
Crapdonalds use "100% australian beef" mjwx | 07/13/07
Contrast that to this NickNielsen | 07/13/07
Dont suppose theres a youtube link? mjwx | 07/13/07
In fact NickNielsen | 07/13/07
Interesting w2ktechman | 07/14/07
The closest one to me NickNielsen | 07/14/07
8.6 miles (san jose) from home. w2ktechman | 07/14/07
There used to be a lot more NickNielsen | 07/14/07
The ones here sold them w2ktechman | 07/14/07
The thing you DON'T want to ask if you like McDonnalds jdclyde | 07/13/07
I dont like McDonalds that much mjwx | 07/13/07
OR what's in the mcnuggets... Locrian_Lyric | 07/13/07
Oh TELL us!!! meryllogue@... | 07/13/07
You'll be so-or-ry! NickNielsen | 07/13/07
From what I've heard jkbh92@... | 07/16/07
Chicken carcass... Sereniti | 07/16/07
Darn! I was hoping they would use sliced chunks out of a live chicken Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
The only valid reason to eat at Ronald's Freebird54 | 07/16/07
OR Double DeBo | 07/13/07
Same page as above NickNielsen | 07/14/07
Special Sauce = Mayonaise + Tomato Paste + Pureed pickles. MickPatten@... | 07/16/07
Really? jkbh92@... | 07/16/07
Actually NickNielsen | 07/16/07
Mystery Meat jrwhalley | 07/19/07
Never-ever eat at Mac! batia | 12/28/07
Wrong MyLittleMansAnIdiot | 07/18/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for mhbowman@... | 07/13/07
I Agree with you uberg33k50 | 07/13/07
No doubt... elbrando | 07/13/07
Home Despot? NickNielsen | 07/14/07
Dealing with phone companies jcstandley2@... | 07/16/07
I hear there is a Lowes in Orangeburgh, Rockland County Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
Not by much! NickNielsen | 07/16/07
Best Buy and M$N/Micro$oft in cahoots? carrie@... | 07/13/07
M$ gave Geek Squad $200,000,000.00 support@... | 07/16/07
Best Buy and Billy av8rninja@... | 07/21/07
Verizon has given me good service, but..... pennatomcat | 07/14/07
Verizon DSL Tech Support samici1798@... | 03/11/08
Verizon and Home Depot. Inkling | 07/16/07
You mean it isn't obvious? :0 NickNielsen | 07/16/07
Home Depot does suck in my area Big Ole Jack | 07/16/07
Home Depot sucks everywhere EKRULL8@... | 07/18/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for soporte@... | 07/13/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for BenOddo53 | 07/13/07
Great post! carrie@... | 07/13/07
Bad businesses would all fold if... Locrian_Lyric | 07/13/07
The reason retailers don't care. gil_gosseyn | 07/14/07
Unwise and foolish spending Moogrunner | 07/16/07
Well Said Dmystify | 07/17/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for Double DeBo | 07/13/07
LoL, Proprietary. Labuiacs | 07/14/07
overdose of TLAs, ETLAs and RTLAs keithc | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for High_Lander_1@... | 07/15/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for rickeyln | 07/16/07
Uninstalling AOL NickNielsen | 07/16/07
just about... Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
Near as I know TiggerTwo | 07/16/07
Yep samici1798@... | 03/11/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for techrepublic@... | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for DougUnit12 | 07/16/07
May not be a choice NickNielsen | 07/16/07
What you say is true, but... techrepublic@... | 07/18/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for rogerw838@... | 07/16/07
It's a MurphysAcolyte | 07/16/07
It's a 'bait & switch' MurphysAcolyte | 07/16/07
VERY illegal to do Locrian_Lyric | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for najeebs@... | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for tntnknb@... | 07/16/07
It's a race to the bottom jdtaylor1@... | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for Dmystify | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for rmollisjr@... | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for vjspanofl@... | 07/16/07
Comcast! ugh! Locrian_Lyric | 07/17/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for vjspanofl@... | 07/16/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for crazijoe | 07/17/07
Don't overlook McAfee pmwpaul@... | 07/17/07
Or as I have come to know it....."McCrappy" Big Ole Jack | 07/17/07
Mcaffe PC Killer, er... Spam Killer... Locrian_Lyric | 07/18/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for nyong88@... | 07/17/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for finmedmgr | 07/18/07
Hmmmm JamesRL | 07/18/07
Reply to Hmmmm finmedmgr | 08/02/07
Are you trying to argue with me? JamesRL | 08/02/07
Actually not argueing but agreeing. finmedmgr | 08/03/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for admin@... | 07/18/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for ed34222 | 07/18/07
Staples mattc1@... | 07/20/07
Staples samici1798@... | 03/11/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for av8rninja@... | 07/21/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for MGP2 | 07/23/07
Why? Locrian_Lyric | 07/26/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for rickhal | 08/01/07
DCM the worst call center in America work4thebest@... | 09/20/07
DCM? Try Starwood! samici1798@... | 03/11/08
DHL is the suck jmgarvin | 09/20/07
This warrants a nasty complaint to the BBB or Dept of Consumer Affairs Big Ole Jack | 09/21/07
BBB? samici1798@... | 03/11/08
RE: There's a difference between Verizon Comm and Verizon Wireless jaineblaize@... | 09/21/07
RE: The five worst companies to work for lindenfan16@... | 12/04/07
Where's Target at? southside_sunset@... | 01/07/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for nateginter@... | 01/14/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for svm0001 | 01/19/08
IKEA should be on there. chris.rolfe@... | 03/09/08
Verizon snowey@... | 03/30/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for kjfajsdf@... | 04/14/08
Just laid off from Home Depot spaamdump@... | 04/30/08
Lord and Taylor green_i_susie_q@... | 05/30/08
RE: The five worst companies to work for lekquen@... | 08/28/08
MacDonalds? Oz_Media | 08/28/08
worst companie to work in india Mahesh@... | 04/02/09
You forgot Nordstrom pjwvieviwdhyu@... | 06/05/09
RE: The five worst companies to work for anthemwebs@... | 12/16/09
Don't know NickNielsen | 12/16/09

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