operator

welder

machinist

laborer

equipment technician

Acden

Worked as a machinist at Acden Lemax for several years and it's possibility one of the most poorly managed and dysfunctional companies I've ever worked for.

For starters, it feels like it's independently managed separate from Acden, if you have any issues with management at Lemax, good luck getting any support from HR at Acden. Going to them just puts a target on you back.

Management of Lemax is it's greatest weakness. The operations manager loves to manage with fear, and loves to threaten people with their jobs. In the shop, he watches everyone on security cameras and will write people up for everything. Also he engages in nepotism and favoritism by employing his wife and step son and also close friends.

The work itself is varied with a mix of cnc, conventional and field machining. When it gets busy, good luck getting a day off because you could be busy for weeks and weeks non-stop. Lemax also doesn't operate shift work like almost every other outfit in the oil sands, it's Monday to Friday. If you work in the field, driving time is free and you're paid 11.5 hours for a 12 hour day at site (unpaid lunch).

The pay is ok compared to companies outside of Fort McMurray but low compared to other companies in the region combined with there being no pension or bonuses.

The guys on the floor were great and it used to be a good place to learn but many senior staff have exited due to management so there aren't any advantages to taking a job at Lemax.

Absolutely terrible site culture which begins directly with the client they serve. A once enjoyable work atmosphere has turned into a "boys club" through bullying/harassment practices which to this day still exist. If you aren't on the in club inflating the right persons ego you're out.  Management on one of the shifts have sat in their positions long enough for the plant size and hvac equipment to outgrow their own skill set. This makes it difficult for anyone who is a decent technician to take direction from them or for them to have the ability to manage. 

The safety and rule culture is punitive. There is no incentive plan...only punishment and scrutiny on a daily basis. If you don't buy into what they say..even if you have to fake it. You're gone. 

The company as a whole lacks direction and vision. Other then trying to gain one contract there is no vision. You are a body..thats it. There is zero room for advancement or staff development. No plan...no action..weak, deceitful and uninspiring leadership. Not the type of people to look up to.

Many great technicians have come and gone due to management. Great crew..terrible place to work. 

I've been with Acden for many years and through many challenging scenarios: from multiple natural disasters to multiple volatile swings in  oil and gas and of course a pandemic. The executive and management have been very impressive in their ability to provide a clam and stable work environment and I'm often surprised at the retention of long term employee's and how many employee's have left and then asked if there may be a position available if they were to come back. Acden is an excellent company to work for and the Executive have made several decisions in my employment where they have chosen employee welfare over profitability. I greatly enjoy the many people I have worked with and currently do work with.

Loved every minute at Acden. Good pay and equipment. People are friendly and helping. Used to be a high turn over rate but it got corrected with a pay increase. I find the managers don’t like to listen to some ideas that the workers in the field suggests. Sometimes they make us feel like children in a sand box. If only they would go on some ideas what operators suggest it would be great. They are the ones that know the work the most and what’s safe and what works. Last but most troubling, they have field supervisors that are literally supervising a transport company and they don’t even have a class 1 license or experience. How are you supposed to ask them for help when they don’t even know how or what we are talking about. They are literally only good for the office. There’s a lot of others who feel this way.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Some of the coworkers made it bearable to work here. People in management had no clue on how to manage or treat people. It felt like a prison and if you wanted your self-esteem crushed then this would be the prefect place for that. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Management didn't do anything but push you like a slave. You were always overloaded with work and if you didn't get it completed you would be chewed out.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is very toxic and the company does not live by what it preaches. There is a very clear double standard with this company.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
There isn't enough space to write the cr*p you have to deal with here.

Management is by far the worst I’ve seen. They favourite certain people. Communication lacks greatly which results in not fully understand possible tasks at hand, but management will jump down your throat if it’s not done their way. So in other words you need to be able to mind read. 
Assign tasks with unrealistic time goals. Would rather see you fail then answer your questions. You must love picking weeds because that’s all you do in summer 
Will not talk to you directly, will go through 2-3 people and then management gets upset when information is wrong. Women get paid less then the men and management acts stupid and pretends they don’t know what’s going on. Repetitive tasks. Men get all the work. If you wan to make good money for doing nothing this is the place

Mismanaged and micromanaged, always struggling to get supplies, mid level management has their hands tied from above more often then not so have a tough time trying to do their job, and make yours a little better. 

There is extremely HIGH turnover due to the difficult management team. The expectations are impossible to meet and create UNSAFE working conditions. The Team Lead on one of the shift rotations is discriminatory and harasses employees who are not in his social group until they quit.
Human Resources is 100% aware of the issues with management but WILL NOT intervene. This is obviously a culture that they condone.
The worst part is that you will experience a 90 day site ban for other similar jobs once you take this one. It means that you will either have to put up with the TERRIBLE work environment or find yourself unemployed. 
Do yourself a favour and find work with any other company. Do not get trapped here!

You will need to be able to work independently and formulate various plans of action as Acden's priorities are not communicated.

Pay is on par with other similar-sized businesses; health and dental plan benefits are really quite good.  Company matched savings plan.

Easy access to the Executive for guidance and advice on business matters.

Did not receive one performance review during my employment, despite manager's promises and company policy to do so, which makes it almost impossible to determine areas for improvement.

Your days are full albeit sometimes routine. Acden seems to attract a mixed bag of personnel with good attitudes which always compliments the work week. Management treat their people well, advancement from within is encouraged and you do feel valued as an employee. Performing your duties under an umbrella of training and safety is as true summary for Acden Environment workplace culture. Morning Tool Box talks with great coffee were usually where the best problem solving was affected and definitely the most laughs.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Operator 5 salaries reported	$40.33 per hour
Welder 7 salaries reported	$54.69 per hour
Machinist 11 salaries reported	$51.00 per hour
Laborer 2 salaries reported	$28.00 per hour
Equipment technician 10 salaries reported	$55.60 per hour

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