automotive mechanic

operator

mechanic

driver

spécialiste en soutien technique

Orica

Typical day: performance management and disciplinary actions, compensation and pay increases, performance reviews and goal settings, layoffs, job postings and interviews, strategic HR planning for business growth, travel to sites, meetings and conference calls, relocations.

Learned: mergers and acquisitions (synergies and cost savings),  implementation of new culture with much resistance, safety procedures, employment laws in several provinces and territories.  Implemented HR department in Western Canada and Alaska and quickly became a respected and trusted leader in the region.  Also learned about commercial explosives.

Management: In the region, great management team, we all worked together to reach the same goals. However, several senior managers and VP in HO in the US who didn't understand Canadian business, sometimes difficult to get point across from an HR's point of view.  Our region had the most growth potential in North America.  Delivered training to more than 25 managers on performance management, disciplinary actions, interviewing and selection process, basic HR and employment laws and procedures.

Co-workers:  Some of the best people I have ever worked with. We all worked towards the same goals and worked well together. Western Canada and Alaska was brand new business for the company and we exceeded corporate goals and expectations for the first two years after the acquisition and we were on track to do the same again for the current fiscal year. 

Hardest part of job:  Several remote locations, travel schedules, Head Office for North America in the US.

Most enjoyable part: Only HR representative in the region, made my own decisions, accountability, active member of the Leadership team, variety of responsibilities from HR to safety - conducted quarterly safety meetings in the Calgary office, presented 2020 Vision for the company in 5 different locations to more than 50 employees,

I spent a year working at Terra Insight Co. in the accounting department. While there were aspects of the company that could have been promising, I found that the management structure was quite weak and lacked clear direction. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough work to keep me consistently busy, which was frustrating.

One of the major issues was the abundance of meetings that often felt long and unproductive. There were too many managers, many of whom seemed unsure of their roles, leading to a lack of guidance and cohesion within the team. This lack of direction extended to the HR department as well, where there were too many employees who spent more time talking and laughing loudly than contributing to the workplace environment.

Additionally, the monthly group meetings were particularly ineffective, with little of value being discussed, and many attendees appeared disengaged, sometimes even taking the opportunity to nap.

Despite these challenges, I appreciated the respectful interactions with my colleagues. However, there is significant room for improvement, especially in terms of management effectiveness and workplace productivity.

I was excited and hopeful when I started with Orica.  I was constantly told how good of a job I was doing and how fast I was picking up the training.  This lead me to believe I was part of the team.  Then I was dismissed for which they never gave me an explanation or warnings of any bad performance or complaints.  I even tried to get answers from the regional manager and he will not answer me.  On the surface people are nice and give you encouragement but underneath it all the managers are weak and to busy maneuvering through the ranks to pay any attention to what is actually going on in the ranks they are supposed to be managing.  Under the surface this company crumbles when it comes to basic professionalism.  I do not recommend it for anyone trying to build a life and career with high integrity.

Things started off well and met some amazing people along the way, I truly enjoyed the work. But things went a little sideways when they couldn't find guys for cross shift and was told we need to come in to cover. I complied as I love OT and figured I'd make some good money. Well the wage on paper is great and I have myself to blame for not looking for the devil in the details. They use a OT averaging agreement to roll back your overtime. So working and extra2, 3 or 4 or more extra 12 hour shifts doesn't pay off at all. I really appreciated this company and if they would simply pay their operators a decent wage and I'm not just talking the hourly. it would have been a long lasting fun job with everyday being a little different. Mabye it would work for some but just remember everyone else around you on site will be making alot more money than you and you will be working hard and fast.

Accomplishments and good work are recognized. Being personable with your team and your customers is just as important as job performance. Can be a great working environment if you have the right attitude. Work life balance really depends on your role but is typically pretty good.

Managers across most departments I've dealt with seem to care about their employees and want to see them succeed, but there are bad ones out there too. At the corporate level you can clearly sense its all about money, which I guess is typical from a company this size but still disappointing. Very frustrating when managers have little power to progress or reward employees.

Compensation is ok but not industry leading and benefits are lacking. Opportunities for raises and promotions are hard to come by. Not uncommon to see people leave for better pay.

The company is global and ran exactly that way. The employees have a tendency to know more about the site, trucks and operations than it’s managers. It’s a company that recognizes their profits until the last quarter when evaluations start for your annual employee increase. Then head office comes out with a sad song about the economy taking a turn for the worst.
The company managers will utilize their credit cards to their max at dinners for meetings on expenditures. But will buy the employees the cheapest safety gear around.
They hire managers with no experience, if this is you... you’ll advance quickly in the company.

The position was based in a chemical plant, this made for interesting work. Work-life balance was good, team was good, pay was average with minimal benefits. Was promised a FT position at end of 1-yr term, Orica did not deliver. Following my term, the entire Canadian plant mgnt team was replaced with expats via the corporate HO. Explains the lack of job security/advancement. This plant had an exceptional safety record, Orica international did not.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I’m home every night, the schedule is nice too

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Current management at the site is very under trained and a micromanager 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
With a deep rooted “crew against crew” mentality designed by current management there’s a “favouritism” approach to everything 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Dirty, stressful, toxic environment always arguing and fighting with on site management for anything

Working in North Eastern B.C was a blast! Made lots of great friends at Orica.  Regional Manager is an ex used car salesman looking to make his mark.  As a result the place has turned into somewhere the good guys that are left don’t want to be.   The work culture is Toxic and you can’t trust too many people.   The pay isn’t great, promises aren’t kept, and the turn over is high!  Fire, fire, fire.  Do the minimal until the boss shows up then show him what you got!  Tell him how bad everyone else is while you got his ear and you will fit right in.    I’d suggest going somewhere else unless you’re desperate for a job.   Do not do anything extra or go the extra mile! 

Loading up Ammonium Nitrate 1000kg bags on to  a A.N blower truck. Days were spent loading up drilled holes on a blast pattern with explosives. Operating a Western Star 4 axle Bulk Truck. Ensuring that all hydraulics and air blowers and pumps were in good operating order. Daily maintenance on trucks. Operated Loaders and Excavators to clean up lease. Road maintenance and grading. Melting down Ammonium nitrate in the emulsion plant and adding chemicals to manufacture the proper speculated emulsion.

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