Pros
You may look at this as a former employee who is bitter or has some sort of vendetta towards this company, but that is far from the truth. I'm not bitter, after being escorted out of ConEst other doors have opened that have led to better things in my life, and My DJ Business has flourished (without leaving my name this should tell anyone who works there WHO is writing this review) I just want ANYONE who is thinking of working for this company to be aware of the problems before ever stepping foot in the door. So what are the Pros to Working at ConEst? Their pay scale and commissions can be on the higher side COMPANY PAID HEALTH INSURANCE (Or at least it was when I left) You will get a $25 gift card on your birthday, and they have a Lunchtime Pizza Party every month with a cake to celebrate that months Birthdays. The People that work for the Company are wonderful, hardworking and intelligent, and they have made the Product one of the Best on the Market for the Estimating Software business Endless supply of K-Cup Coffee
Kontras
If you read those Pros you may think... COMPANY PAID HEALTH CARE with Good Pay, Bonuses & great employees, WHY only 2 Stars?!? Because the pros that I mentioned are the only reason my review is not a SINGLE star. I worked 2 separate times for ConEst from 2005-2008, and I returned from 2011-2013. The pay was why I returned and for the position that I held the pay was the same from the day I started until my final day. Not a single raise in the entire time that I worked for the company as I was told... "That is what the Job pays" But, the pay is not the problem... It's the working environment! (Which was bad when I left in 2008 and deteriorated during my 3 year absence.) An adult working environment becomes less favorable when you are not given an opportunity to enjoy NORMAL human interaction with your fellow workers. Communication with your fellow employees during working hours is frowned upon, EVEN IF IT IS ABOUT YOUR JOB! Whispering is commonplace as nobody wants to upset the female owner/GM Electronic communication is monitored and reviewed by ownership at night as well! OWNERSHIP HAS A TOTAL DISREGARD FOR NEW EMPLOYEES: During my 2 stays with the company I watched a plethora of people walk in and out of the door expecting to have great things and a great job only to be disappointed and/or terminated because of the unmet promises and unrealistic expectations from ownership. I personally witnessed an incredible 10 people terminated from JUST the SUPERVISORS office and there was at least an additional 20-30 people that were hired for marketing, sales, inside sales, or customer service that were either forced out the door or quit because of the unrealistic demands and goals that are placed on them from ownership. There have been former employees that left long term jobs to come work at ConEst only to be terminated within a short time of starting, because of the ownership's business approach and lack of regard for people. Ownership IS the BIGGEST PROBLEM, it's their company and they can run it how they want... But, while most common business practices lead to a healthy work environment, the business practice at ConEst lead to a large group of disgruntled current and disappointed former employees. They mistakenly believe that the current employees are happy... which sadly isn’t true The monthly Pizza Parties happen on a LUNCH BREAK and while they are nice, they don't make up for the whispers, walking on eggshells every day and the constant fear of upsetting the female owner. When you meet the Owners of the company you will notice that they have different last names but they are married and the owners/management of the company, and they will not allow anyone to invite a better working environment into the building as they can not seem to let go of ANY form of the company which has also led to the revolving door in the Supervisors office The 70+ Year Old Owner/Founder is a BRILLIANT estimator and electrician who designed the original software and oversees the latest upgrades and enhancements to the software, He is generally soft spoken and walks around talking on his cellphone or sits in his office until something happens with His Co-owner/Wife and then he comes running and you will hear the two arguing and swearing LOUDLY behind closed doors. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a controlling individual that the female co-owner is. She has unrealistic approach to how a company should be managed and has a blatant disregard for common decency when it comes to personnel decisions.The State of NH is a hire and fire at will State, and her LACK of professional courtesy towards most new employees and terminated employees is astounding. Supervisors don't last because they understand that your personnel should not feel like it's only OK to communicate with whispers, and when the GM/Owner's office door is closed. You will be spoken to if you are caught "chatting" with a co-worker and reprimanded (or fired) for using your cell phone or making a personal phone call. While it is against company policy, it is very hypocritical as the Founder is seen most days walking around talking on his cell phone. When terminated, several people have had to fight with Ownership over receiving benefits (Cobra & Unemployment) as she terminates the healthcare immediately upon termination (making calls to the Healthcare provider to ensure that the benefits end IMMEDIATELY!) Ownership also presented reasons to the State of NH in an attempt to block unemployment benefits as the female owner loses her temper and uses childish and unnecessary steps to further damage the life of a terminated employee
