production worker

surveillant de magasin de détail

quality control lab technician

sales associate

sanitation worker

SNDL

I started when you got to keep the demo plant not weed ha-ha fast forward one year later laid off twice and terminated with one of the recent waves.

I feel with Sundial approaching receivership slowly its time for a story from an individual who worked in a lot of the Sundial divisions, Excising Cultivation Environmental Services, Manufacturing, Olds Facility, and Rockyview I tried a bunch of stuff and asked a lot of questions of other divisions to develop my knowledge.

Back when I started the company was hopeful and the employees optimistic the possibility of trying different divisions and building a career seemed very possible whether in Irrigation, ICM, or Extracts as the company grew. 

Being in a newly legalized industry they promised a promotion path that came with starting near the beginning from a starter into the office management.

E.G: A person was a Grower at the beginning of their Sundial Career, now is the trainer in the office with further opportunities ahead.

Sundial moved from a hundred to soon be 1000 employees and slowly the drama trickled down into the companies culture.

When I started many individuals thought that the company would scale. Sundial began a hiring spree and was getting listed on a major stock exchange as a Billion Dollar Company.

Three months to the Harvest Club was everyone's goal as it was 100 to 160 shares for those who started before the IPO at $13 US a share it was a great bonus, not explaining the one year lock-in period on those shares.

Now with the selling of Bridge Farm which Sundial paid a 129 million for less than a year later for 90 million to the same people they bought it from and a .50 cent share price, it's a total clown show.

The Calgary Office loved to burn money and didn't have the slightest clue on business management.

They also remained ignorant of employees who suggested smart solutions that made sense and gradually replaced those in HR or others who saw where it was going left and were replaced with bobbleheads.

The solutions implemented by Sundial management made employees miserable while promising questionable returns. 

Each division has its own stories I'll just list 7 from cultivation to keep it brief I tried a lot of divisions could list at least 50 cases of downgrading.

E.G 1:  Raising the temperature in a room to the Highest Temperature possible with the most CO2 to grow more weed and reduce mold.

E.G 2: Trying double-density cause it will double the weed, instead of spacing plants which grow fine even with half density and similar yields, not enough space causes issues in all stages of plant care.

E.G 3: Constantly reducing the time a strain would stay in the room, causing more stress to plants from 60 to 50 days.

Then letting harvested plants dry for shorter periods and develop post-harvest.

As the company reduced growing staff, they began ignoring plant stages and key periods for plant development resulting in room abandonment and a game of chasing strains. 

No preventative or anticipatory scheduling for future plant stages, causing excessive growth and work which could have been handled with proper plant observation and of course going to the end of the room not just poking their head in from Master Growers.

Follow the schedule don't do preventative even if team leads and other talented growers could see easily preventable issues and nip them in the bud they had to get a work order and authorization for each room. 

Cannabis365 added to the problems and negatively impacted productivity, less time for a Lead to teach their teams and more hassle than help, the paper SOP was more dynamic than when HO needed to approve each modification and adjustment. 

E.G. 4: Abandoning Bubble Suits and Quarantine rooms whenever there was a mold infestation and not changing uniforms to save time walking or changing in the Pod.

Mold spores are spread as growers are sent into a new room becoming mold vectors for non-moldy strains.
Only Aphids were considered worth the time since they sucked juices from the plant.

E.G. 5: Sending ICM to a moldy room to snip off all the mold before defol for growers without good PPE and making it discouraging to use proper PPE less you irritate the Master Grower it's just mold.

No defined threshold where Mold causes problems according to safety data sheets. 
Easily preventable and reducible hazard if E.G. 4 was properly applied.

E.G 6: Changing cultivation strains frequently and teaching new strain defol types once and not teaching it again then switching rooms.

Back when it was Shiskaberry and a few other strains it's easier to pick up the nuances. 
Get to 40 strains and of course, you end up with errors as not everyone is trained or recalls each strain's handling procedure and causing mold.

E.G 7: Rockwool, versus alternatives such as Coconut as soil causes bugs. 
(Compared to Mold on cubes and no places for the root culture to grow sitting on the table) 

Unfortunately, these things have not changed and I do not see them changing in the future instead they fired more and transitioned rooms.

That's just a snapshot of cultivation not including the issues in the other divisions in general firing competent individuals who didn't suck up, or demoting them after a layoff and putting individuals in who didn't know the work but knew how to bootlick.

The end result of this parasitism a group meeting upstairs at each facility explaining layoffs and saying well we didn't expect the market to be this small and weed to drop when the company was cash-rich like the other LP's and went grow grow grow then as the shareholder documents state dumping terrible weed below market prices to generate operational cash for the business.

Also known as emptying the vaults at a discount to get quick cash to operate instead of aiming for profitability first and taking a loss.

Honestly, quality trumps quantity, and this is a business lesson in inept managerial practice and nepotism.

When I started were told that we could take our breaks whenever we wanted to and had pizza parties and barbeques to thank the team members. 

With major celebrations when the Pedway finally opened Pod 2 and Pod 3 and H extension to grow more weed. 

With plans to build a Pod 4 and Pod 5 in the works soon after, the joke being that Pod 1 and H Block were supposed to be what kept the facility running.

Pod 2 and Pod 3 were what would make the profits with the energy upkeep being the same as the City of Red Deer. 

Along with the Summer party and Winter party which was a costly affair for a company going into the red.

Somewhere in the middle, the signals crossed and the company started to change, as the most toxic stayed, some innocents were burned through HR drama.

In the higher-ups, there were also shakedowns and jealousy issues over who was being promoted even though some trainers started at the same time. 

Along with Office managers leaving, the HR people changing out from stress and cracks emerging. 

Those that replaced those great people were the narcissistic ones trying to take others down. 
As some leads said everyone seems to be gunning for you.

By the end, Rockyview was a shell of what it was the strains were there however as rooms were shutting down there was nowhere to go. 

Olds struggling to stay open and rooms closed or converted.

As one individual told me a company with several hundred SKUS is stupid basically one for each strain. 

The original intent to determine what grows best in the grow rooms only for them to abandon a bunch cough Florida Lemons, Agent Orange etc.
 
He then mentioned how big major corporations like Coors and Molson had only a few brands of beer and they were.

In essence, I started as an optimistic bright-eyed youth with hope for a new industry and left wiser for it and annoyed at the pettiness of easily preventable mistakes snowballing into a disaster.

Did I like some people there, of course, there were good people, smart people, unfortunately, the higher you went up the ranks the more often you would run into someone who could have made a positive change and had the sway to improve the company but didn't. 

To end this review some competent lower operational management, slowly leaving or getting laid off. High level inept upper management who keep their jobs share bonuses and probably tried to keep bonuses by firing those below them.

In summary a series of predictable disasters waiting to happen.

Colossal waste of time sums up the whole experience from start to finish. Avoid and never look back!!!


-A typical day at work-

No one tells you anything 
(examples being where to go what to do who to talk to and what time a shift starts/ends) 
First day orientation is a choreographed spiel 
Hands on training is a mixture mumbling and shoulder shrugging pointing and other gestures.
Questions are ignored or answered with shoulder shrugs and or mumbling.  
The one thing that is made clear is that all tasks must be done quick fast and right now, failure to do so ends with threats of termination. 

-What you learned- 

What a poorly managed hostile unsafe work environment looks like.
How uncomfortable wet crocs are on concrete for 8 hours.
New hires are neglected and targeted. 

-Management-

Happy to waste your time with endless phone interviews.
Happy to treat you like garbage with a number.
Happy to escort you out.
Disregarded concerns during phone interview and continued to shill their company as the next best thing.
Leads/managers/supervisors all claim to be keen on safety but seems to put it on the back burner or just forgot it exists entirely remembering only when convenient....... for them of course.
(Example being crocs are the only approved footwear while lifting or moving heavy objects using pallet jacks, climbing ladders, Working in wet slippery environments, Not telling you where the fire exits or eye wash stations are located)
Devoid of any redeeming qualities sums up management. 


-Work place culture-

Leads/managers/supervisors openly complain about other coworkers and what disciplinary action they are considering for them.
It's not what you know. It's who you know. 
Getting pulled aside for 3 on 1 "meetings" for threats of termination due to factors beyond your control.
Cameras are monitored for any infraction that may occur.

-The hardest part of the job 

Having the patience to deal with a poorly managed unsafe work environment.


-The most enjoyable part of the job

There isn't anything enjoyable about the job or the company.





Started here in 2019 and I can say the culture is excellent. The fellow staff are respectful, and take great pride in their work. A positive attitude is very prevalent here as well. Since this is a brand new company, we are always growing very rapidly which makes for many new opportunities. However, with that said, procedures and plans are constantly changing and don't go exactly smooth. If you are one that does not like constant change then, this is not the place to be, but if you do like advancing along with the business and don't mind rolling with the changes this is a great place to be. 

Personally, I Iike being part of this rapidly developing organization. I enjoy as well how with our shift schedules you get 3 and sometimes 4 days off. It shows Sundial's commitment to a work and life balance. 

Management is friendly as well and will constantly interact with all levels of staff. Sometimes upper management  will show us gratitude by hosting a pizza or subway lunch. 
  
If there are some things that could be improved though, it would be training staff more thoroughly on all procedures and make sure all the staff are fully competent in every aspect of their job. That way everyone can feel they add great value to the business. I think there should have been more planning ahead as well in regards to facility infrastructure. It is a new company anyhow, so there are many things to be learned and things are improving rapidly all the time.   

Overall this is an excellent place to work and undoubtedly my favorite job. Like any work place there will be challenges. But those cons are outweighed by the positive and fun based culture and our strive to always be on the constant improvement.

On one side you get to work with the team of very dedicated people, who are really interested in company success and are proud of their products. 
On the other side you get extremely poor Sr management, that is scared, paralysed, having no knowledge or direction and scared to death for their own necks.
I had fun here, met some amazing people, but never ever have I felt so useless, tired, worried and bored the same time. You go home after work (where you achieved nothing) and feel drenched like old floor mop. This job will make you compromise on your ethics and work standards all the time, become a yes-man or just walk out.
At all levels or organization there is stagnation and action paralysis. People are too scared to act, to scared to take on or to share the responsibility. Company is too top-heavy, it is impossible to work in management because your responsibilities are shared by another five people. Top all this with playing favourites by sr management.
Teamwork and culture overall are poor-watch your rear and watch your front the same time, everyone will try to peck on you if they have a chance, aside from maybe your closest group of peers.
Lack of understanding and education in management and poor culture result in low efficiency, low productivity, low morale, low KPIs (does anyone know what KPI is in sundial?). 
If you previously worked in, 6sigma, lean or fairly efficient operations- this place will make you laugh and cry the same time.
I would not recommend this place if you are interested in career development, self-development, fulfillment, or life work balance. No money is worth this struggle.
It is a good place to work if are in for watching stupid people do stupid things, have fun, meet some amazing people, put a title on a resume, see fields of weed or if you just need good money and don't mind some suffering 35 hr a week.


Sundial was good in the beginning. After it got too big the culture changed and the lack of knowledge and organization skills on behalf of management became clearer.
Set backs daily, redo work daily or last mintue change of plans. Rooms completely forgotten about for weeks by management and left to over grow.
Very crazy atmosphere everyday. Most people report never getting positive feedback and feel like they're "1 in a million robots".Doing pointless tasks for weeks on end.

They are also trying to expand to quickly with out knowing what to really expand. Takes 15mins to get into olds facility due to lack of parking and needing to park then walk 10 minutes to building and sometimes 20 mins to get out of the building for lunch. No break rooms, have a depressing trailer outside of the main building some can eat in, no coffee either. Just 1- 1 hour lunch per day. 
Fire workers quite easily, kind of feels like the new oilfeild. Always someone willing to take your job. 
Feels like they hire anyone and everyone despite knowledge or lack thereof. Just want worker bees. 
It's run like a factory and not agriculture facility.

If you want a real genuine experience and to take care of the plants like they're your own, go to a smaller grow operation..all the plants here you have no connection to. You're set on one task say "pulling leaves" for weeks on end. Well another crew will be set on cloning for weeks on end..you don't really grow the plants. Just one stage of the growth....but that's a factory. If you're ok with that then this is the place for you. But if you're an actual horticulturist, you might feel disconnected and not as satisfied as you could be.

When I first started, everything was pretty good. Yes the company constantly changes but after the few waves of layoffs it has gotten bad. A lot of micro-managing, taking away any ounce of freedom from you. Strict policies. These policies are only told to certain individuals that work here, the rest of the teams have no idea about them. Those who do not know will find out the hard way. Communication is extremely poor. The teams are spread out very thin. You don't always get breaks due to the fact you are constantly attending to shipments and processors. There seems to be a lack of leadership from management, more dictating then not. Most management and leaders that revolves around inventory are not very friendly. They tend to High School you if you do not pick up shifts; Getting the silent treatment and cold shoulder. Veiled threats and intimidation is the norm; threatening to watch you on cameras and time your breaks etc.
There is no real training program for inventory personnel. You just sign procedure papers and no actual hands on training. A few people do things one way, the others do it another way. Depending who you are, this can turn into an altercation, which leads to arguments. 

The benefit package is bare minimum and no savings plan program. 

Shifts are long but rewarding because you get many days off. 

Everyone thinks inventory is all paper work but it is mostly physical, moving hundreds of heavy totes all day. 

Maybe 2 years from now it will be better but once you are in inventory, no room for movement in the  company. Favoritism is noticeable but not severe.

The management team of this company deserves high praise for their outstanding skills and expertise. They have a clear vision for the company's success and consistently make strategic decisions that drive growth and innovation. Their ability to effectively communicate goals and expectations creates a positive work environment where employees feel motivated and supported.
Speaking of employees, they are the true backbone of this company's success. They are not only highly skilled and knowledgeable in their respective roles, but they also demonstrate a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for their work. Their commitment to delivering high-quality results is evident in every project they undertake.
What sets this company apart is the strong sense of teamwork and collaboration among its employees. The supportive and inclusive culture encourages open communication and idea-sharing, fostering a creative and innovative work environment. This collaborative spirit not only enhances productivity but also creates a sense of camaraderie among the employees. The company values diversity and inclusion.
Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with this company's management and employees. Their dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit create a positive and productive work environment that sets them apart from others. I highly recommend this company to anyone seeking employment with exceptional management and employees.


The interview process was very promising, as SunDial told of advancements, and raises, but had been there for one year, and had not seen either.   The work consisted of tending plants, with pruning, and deleafing to encourage bud growth, then prep for harvest, in which you defoliate the plant, standing for days at a time to do that.  There are other processes that the bud goes through, but my job was a grower.      Management and leads have poor people skills, so they don't keep things fair for anyone... and tend to come down on certain people hard, while others get away with alot.   The most enjoyable part of this job was getting to understand the different strains of plants, and seeing them grow, and come to fruition.   And most of the people who work in the pods, are nice people, although there are some lazy and nasty ones whom are a wonder as to how they have been tolerated for so long.    Going to human resources to resolve issues, is a waste of time, as they are ineffective/inexperienced,  and cannot decipher who is telling the truth.   I do not recommend seeking any type of long term employment with them, but you might want to experience the industry by trying the work for a bit... but be aware, the industry is new, there were layoffs, it is unstable, and it's gonna be a rough road.

I have worked at Valens, the Kelowna location for over 4 years. Since SNDL took acquisition of Valens, it has been a flawless transition. SNDL has given the support and the tools needed to succeed. With the help of more automation we have been able to become more efficient, while not sacrificing jobs to do it.

The benefits and especially the compensation is definitely one of the best in the area to be home every day. If you keep your head down and show up you can have more than just a job, you can have a career.

SNDL cares for thier employees by having a peer recognition program that allows employees to recognize each other. The nominees have a chance to win some very expensive prizes! There is a family like culture at work. We often have external social gatherings and potlucks. 

I would suggest employment here for anyone who is willing to work at a steady pace. The expectations in production are achievable and you can feel rewarded seeing green in the daily metrics! 

The employees work indoors in a temperature controlled environment all year around. There are chairs so they don't have to be on their feet all day and music in the rooms!  



I was new to the industry but someone was kind enough to give me a chance. I did my best to follow the rules and do all the daily cleaning I needed to. Of course, I'm only human and have made mistakes. I failed to I.D someone who came in once (whose job was to basically grade us on job performance this way) but they weren't a minor, just under the age we I.Ded at that franchise (under 40yrs). I proceeded to be more careful after this happened. 

Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time something like this happened. I am on the autism spectrum and have a hard time eith social queues. One time I accidentally blurted out something that was considered "gossip" and had to sign a waiver saying I wouldn't bully or gossip, even though that wasn't my intention.

Not only that, but I was never directly told that we are not allowed to let customers hold products to read the labels/see them closer. And so I thought it was okay to let them do this. However, one night I had an instance of a shoplifting incident. I was considered to be at fault for letting them touch stuff. This resulted in the loss of my job. I understand its important to have strict rules but ouch.

All in all, I loved the people, the pay and the environment. It was a joy until mistakes were made :(

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Production worker 6 salaries reported	$19.92 per hour
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Quality control lab technician 1 salary reported	$22.50 per hour
Sales associate 1 salary reported	$15.00 per hour
Sanitation worker 1 salary reported	$23.00 per hour

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