merchandiser

loader

seasonal associate

route driver

truck driver

Bernicks

Bernick’s: A Decline in People-First Values

Bernick’s was once a company that truly embodied a "people-first" mentality, but sadly, that culture has drastically changed. The current CEO treats employees like numbers rather than valued team members. If you voice an opinion or raise concerns, you are often viewed in a negative light. In contrast, those who keep their heads down and follow orders—regardless of whether it’s the right thing to do—seem to fare better.

As someone in a management role, it’s disheartening to realize that contributions and insights are not valued. Over the past year, several key team members have left the company due to the CEO’s leadership style, which many feel is damaging the company. Unfortunately, the CEO appears to have the support of the leadership team and the Board of Directors, so meaningful change seems unlikely.

The current environment is toxic. Employees operate in fear, and many departments are struggling as a result. Rather than addressing these issues, blame is often shifted, and individuals become scapegoats. This has created a workplace where morale is low, and trust in leadership is nearly nonexistent.

It’s especially disappointing because Bernick’s once treated employees with respect and fostered a positive and inclusive culture. Those days seem to be gone under the current management. Until there is a leadership change, the negative climate will persist, and the company will continue to lose talented team members.

It’s a shame to see a family-built company with such strong roots be undermined by one individual’s leadership. If Bernick’s hopes to retain its talent and rebuild its culture, significant changes are needed. Right now, many top performers are actively seeking opportunities elsewhere due to the current conditions.

I would not recommend working at Bernick’s under the current leadership.

Ever since Torgeson  stepped down and the new CEO assumed his role, things have gone from tolerable to awful. All levels of supervisors in all departments have begun pushing all possible responsibilities off onto their employees. 

Time off used to be very flexible and supervisors would be willing to accommodate, and now they are aggressive and standoffish about giving more than two people the same day off, and blame the employees if they dare try to take time off on one of those days…

 Distribution supervisors who used to be more than willing to assist with routes and any issues, and also offer support for drivers as-needed are now unwilling to leave the office or so much as lift a finger to help if it inconveniences them. Instead of training and coaching, they micromanage, blame, and tell employees to solve their own problems, putting in the bare minimum of hours before heading out for the day. 

The rise in constantly micromanaging and monitoring drivers through the in-cab camera system is also troubling, as the desk jockeys continue to tell the commercial license holders how to do the one part of their job that they never could do.

The free and discounted beverages are an okay perk, but not worth the continued decline of a once-great culture and department. Loads and assigned routes are rarely equal and favorites/nepotism have become the standard. Save yourself the headache and look elsewhere.

If I had to describe my position in simple terms it'd be that I get paid to workout, which I enjoy. As a driver you're physically active quite a bit which will vary depending on the route you're doing and time of year. Once you get used to the job it feels like less work and more of a habitual routine. The pay is good in my opinion specifically for a local and home daily truck driving job. Very few in this area match or beat the pay. One of my favorite benefits is access to free drinks to bring with on my route and a 4 day work week. Management is great, you know they have your back. Workplace culture is good, plenty of activities to be involved in if you want to involve yourself. Relationships between departments is a normal thing and you get to know people that you may not see often but have a role in how your day may go, like the sales person who places the order you deliver or the person who built the pallet. Hardest part of the job is also the most enjoyable part of the job for me which is the heavy lifting and repetitive lifting/motion. Overall, there is always something you could complain about if you wanted to but in my experience I enjoy working here.

Personally in my few months of working at bernicks so far on the warehouse end I’d say it really hasn’t been worth it. Regardless of the spot you’re in your being paid to do all the dirty work for way less than you should. Ontop of all that the fear of job security is very much there to, I often found my fellow employees being scared because they weren’t pushing themselves far enough for the company and thought they’d loose their position. Overall really wouldn’t recommend working here, find a better paying warehouse job.

Great company to start working for! Delivering and filling product in vending machines can be fun and you get to meet a lot of people through the businesses you go to. knowing a company is satisfied with your performance is one of the best things about working here. Also, it's a Monday through Friday job where you work early mornings and get off work whenever your done with the route which typically brings you to an 8-hour day. Having the weekends off is an added bonus... Supervisors are always on call when you need them which is good! For the most part, you are in charge of the route. This helps you build skills that you might not have already had.

Bernicks is a very good company to work for. They offer great benefits and there is a wellness program that can be used to earn points towards reducing your health insurance premiums the following year. The same wellness program also earns you points to redeem on merchandise and gift cards from the wellness program’s  store. The company also encourages healthy living. Employees enjoy a discount on products from the company as well as complimentary beverages while working. The employee reviews are done regularly and they are also a good way to give your own feedback back to management. It is a fast paced work environment where there isn’t a lot of downtime. But the time goes by fast.

This job will totally take advantage of you mentally and physically. They will work you to death and then ask you to do more. The pay is very low for what it is. I only received 13hr and was told I would make a dollar more after a year. A normal day will be merchandising at 4 stores that take about 3-4 hours each and a higher up WILL come behind you and inspect but never help stock. If they feel like punishing you they will get you to help the truck drivers on route which is an average 12hr day of RUNNING with heavy merchandise in gas stations/stores. No breaks, no lunches, start time 4am. Its not worth it to even apply here.

There's an arrogance that runs through half the employees.  It's extremely off-putting. The way they pat themselves on the back every chance they get while smugly laughing at a local competitors imminent demise, surely this isn't the same company that has an amazing reputation in its community.  Praised for being a family company, I was shocked to learn the truth.  Truck drivers paid about 2 dollars less than the competition.  Transportation supervisors are the worst. Poor communication, miscommunication, unappreciation, condescending.  I'm leaving soon. They have a team of HR people, apparently, I've never met them. Would be nice if they had a presence so my issues could be heard. 

Bernicks is a good company to work for holidays are paid you have 12 paid vacation days as well as sick days hours are early mornings so you are done mid afternoon unless you want overtime you call other drivers to see if they need help bernicks is a very generous company to work for do lots  of  things for employees such as holiday parts company picnics there's alot more that they do I just cant fit it all in the description.

Worked at this facility for a few years, I was very loyal to this company. Working long nights if work was needed to be done. Going above & beyond. But if you plan on moving up, expect no guidance from the people above you. In the time I’ve been there we lost a couple good people that realized they deserve better for themselves especially with the upper management they have at Bernicks. Bernicks DO BETTER. That’s what we preach isn’t it? To care for our employees. I’m not sad about not being an employee anymore, because this company is who lost out on a great person, & great employee. I will take my knowledge & my work ethic elsewhere to a place that appreciates it. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Merchandiser 112 salaries reported	$18.10 per hour
Loader 17 salaries reported	$20.15 per hour
Seasonal associate 19 salaries reported	$18.08 per hour
Route driver 39 salaries reported	$26.58 per hour
Truck driver 23 salaries reported	$23.02 per hour

Working at Bernicks: Company Overview and Reviews

Bernicks

Bernicks Ratings

Popular jobs at Bernicks

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected