laborer

forklift operator

administrative assistant

production associate

material handler

Georgia-Pacific

All Koch Industries companies operate under a set of guiding principles, the MBM Guiding Principles, which at first glance appear to be how most people would claim to live their daily lives.  The first two principles, Integrity and Compliance, are the most important. Violation of these will cost one his/her job.  Being honest and upright, while obeying all laws and policies, and one is certain to succeed. Principle 3 is to Create Value, which any business will claim is what they strive to do - value for their customers, their shareholders, their employees, etc.  However, the only value that counts for anything in the Koch Industries world is that which can be physically quantified in the form of dollars.  They pride themselves on the idea of "Creative Destruction", which translates into the idea of making a profit at all costs.  Close the facility, eliminate jobs, walk away from anything or sell to another if there is money to be made by doing so.  The business is 100% focused on chasing profits at all costs.  Human capital is highly expendable.  Knowledge and Experience capital have no value.  Employment preference is to hire young, eager college graduates at a minimal wage, work them until they burn-out and leave, then replace them with more eager college graduates to repeat the process.  They'd rather not have to "retrain" a seasoned employee into their interpretation of their MBM way of thinking. The truth is that while the principles are noble on paper, the actual practice of them in real life is quite perverse.  The "re-investing 90% of profits back into the company" translates into improving the business, or expanding through acquisitions, to make more money.  While most companies would invest some of that money into employee training, expanded benefits and perks, making their company really stand out and desirable for would-be employees...this doesn't happen in the Koch world.  An employee's "benefit" from profits is having a job, and one is expected to be thankful for that. Pay raises can be attained, but normally through the most difficult circumstances.  The company claims to reward employees for hard work and creating value, while at the same time reminding everyone that these are expected with your employment.  Many people are often coached in reviews that, while they might be expecting a raise for recognition of a job well done, what they have accomplished is actually "meeting expectations" of the company.  Bonuses are virtually non-existent for the average employee.  In many ways, one may come to believe that management may get bonuses for keeping their payrolls low and steady.  The experiences I write about are from the Corporate Capabilities perspective, and may differ for employees working in business roles, generating profits through the sales of the company's products.  Employment experience is very similar to a caste system...those who generate profits and those who don't, only providing support.  Again...it's all about tangible profits. 

This company was a very desirable place to work when it was a public company, and the business culture valued all employees and their efforts.  After becoming a private company, it is not a place where I'd want to start a new job.

I loved my job when i started in 2019, but we went from a 12 hour 2-3-3-2 schedule to an 8 hour schedule ( but most times you're still working 12 hour shifts,  with 1 day off if you're lucky because off call offs and or lack of workers to replace you for the next shift). If you don't mind no time off it's great,  but if you have a family or a life it sucks. I don't mind working overtime here and there but every week 6 days a week gets old really fast, and with supervisors constantly changing it makes your job harder. I loved the job it's hard at times but I've done way worse for way less pay, i started at 19.25 an hour in 2019, and when i left in October of 2024 i was making 31.80 an hour plus with overtime that's darn near 50$ an hour so i was averaging 65 to 80,000 thousand dollars a year.  I also seen people that have been there 10 and  15 even 20 years lose their job over ridiculous reasons,  mostly non union such as supervisors and upper management,  i seen 3 directors of operations in those 5 and a half years as well. So like i said i loved my job, didn't like not having any time off. You only have an 8 point system non paid, so basically you get 7 points/ days off then at 8 you're fired. That's how i lost my job by pointing out, or i had plans of retirement there.  Also when i started you got 1 week paid vacation after a year now you get 2 weeks paid vacation coming in the door if you start before june, if after june you get 1 week until you hit 1 year then you get 2 .raises once a year in October,  for production you're in the local 460 steelworkers union,  management and office or supervisors aren't union.  Unfortunately the most recent DOO don't like 12 hour shifts so unless he leaves don't plan on going back to 12 hour shifts ( but remember he is the 3rd DOO i seen in under 6 years so you never know) anyway we were originally told the 8 hour shifts were temporary cause we lost a few key contracts and  after picking back up we'd go back to 12 hour shifts,  well a year later we were just as busy as ever if not more so and we were told we wouldn't be returning to 12 hour shifts ever as long as he was in charge.  Like I've said, money is great but it's not everything.  So take from this what you will. I also heard they've been hiring a lot of young people and they are giving the place a bad wrap.  If i hadn't ben forced to work 6 months straight 12 hour shifts with only 1 day off a week I'd still be there cause i wouldn't have had to use my personal points for time off so i wouldn't have pointed out,,also that's not the first time I'd worked months without a single day off before as well. Put it this way 3 years ago i was making around 22 an hour and i grossed 66,000 for the year, that will tell you how much overtime I worked. Well like i said it has it's ups and downs just depends on what you're willing to sacrifice. Good luck everyone 

A typical day at work consist of my arrival to work at 6:00 (a.m. or p.m), checking emails and conversing with my fellow crew leader who is making a shift change with me. We converse on information as it relates to the job while on duty. In other words, we exchange pertinent updated information from each other's shift. We go into shift overlap where safety information, quality, production and information from management is given to the machine operators. 
After which, I have a crew lead overlap where an exchange of communication from crew leaders from various departments is shared. Again, a review of safety, quality, production and a check of staffing is done to see if any adjustment is needed for staffing to the priority machines. Then, I check on operators to see if they are in need of any resources. Upon which resources are made available if needed for safety. mechanical, and  electrical issues. After which, I check attendance and document absentees and or late arrivals. Kronos is a type of informational system I used to input codes for the machines where machine operators are working that day/night, vacation time and also family medical and emergency leave recorded.
The hardest part of my job is identifying the gaps of skills needed to perform proficiently on the machine assigned. I must take into consideration if the person has been trained on the machine, or more training on that particular machine is needed to enhance performance while keeping safety, quality and production at point, if further training on various machines in that department is needed in case of an absent or a machine is down, job skill knowledge, and making sure that they are authorize and qualified on the machine they are operating.
The most enjoyable part of my job is leading my team into the number one production team, communicating and enhancing the MBM(Market Based Management) framework and ten guiding principles, as it relates to safety, quality and production, being able to implement safety ideas and enhancements for better performance from the machines and seeing the culture of the facility change. I am a creative person. I like to develop new concepts for the machines to perform better this is where I get my fulfillment when my team is safe and productive putting out the best quality product.

At GP you are not a person, but a number. Local management's hands are tied and all the shots are called by someone half a continent away who has never set foot in the shop. This includes hiring and firing, so expect to be surrounded by incompetent people who have no business working around dangerous machinery because local management has no power to do anything. Also expect to be worked like a dog for 12 hours a day and at least 6 days a week for management who can do absolutely nothing to ease your suffering. Everyone on the production floor is divorced at least once. It's impossible to hold a family together if you never see them. 

Your concerns are ignored, your ideas are ignored, you are ignored... until you make a mistake then they come down on you like a ton of bricks, which will happen because you will be so overworked and exhausted you can hardly walk at the end of the day let alone operate machinery. 

No lunch. That's right, only 15 minute breaks every four hours and that's it, even during a 12 hour shift (which you will be doing every day). You won't have time to eat anything but sandwiches and potato chips so I hope you don't care about your health. Just about everything is the bare minimum that the law allows. No candy, no gum, no mints, no phone (and no way for family to contact you during work), no medicine. You are not allowed anything on the production floor. It's essentially prison with pay.

No leave aside from a week of vacation after your first year, another week after your 3rd year, then only 1 more week for the next 10 years after that. There are no approved absences aside from FMLA for hourlies, and don't expect to get a vacation approved when there isn't snow on the ground until you have at least 15 years of seniority. That means no break from the scorching heat and humidity. If you are heat sensitive, you will simply not be able to work here as an hourly.

On top of all of this, everyone in management treats you like you should feel lucky to work here. Please, just don't. I know the wage is somewhat attractive, but the sacrifices you will make to yourself and your family are simply not worth it. How much is your health and dignity worth?

The job operates on a rotating schedule of 12-hour day and night shifts, offering employees the opportunity to develop basic mechanical skills, operate forklifts, and handle trailer unloading. The work itself is relatively straightforward, and the training provides a decent introduction to industrial operations.

However, the biggest challenge lies in the management and company culture. While the organization claims to be driven by a philosophy known as "Market-Based Principles"—including values such as Integrity, Transformation, Self-Actualization, Respect, Humility, and Principled Entrepreneurship—these principles are inconsistently applied by leadership.

Management often fails to lead by example. Although they promote a culture of open communication and employee development, many workers find that their concerns are ignored and that feedback—especially regarding safety—is rarely acted upon. There is a clear disconnect between what the company says it values and how management actually behaves.

Training expectations can be unrealistic, with limited time to learn complex equipment and little room for error. Mistakes or delays often result in write-ups rather than support. Safety is said to be a top priority, but production demands usually take precedence, creating a contradictory and at times unsafe working environment.

Opportunities for advancement are limited, and internal promotion is rare. Despite dedication and experience, many long-term employees are passed over in favor of external hires. This contributes to low morale and high turnover.

Lastly, mechanical issues are routinely overlooked. Maintenance requests are frequently deferred or resolved with temporary fixes, forcing employees to work with unreliable equipment.

In summary, while the job itself is manageable and the skill development can be valuable, the lack of effective leadership, poor communication, and unfulfilled promises around company values make this a difficult place to grow or feel truly supported

Poor work/life balance.  12 hour rotating shifts, with a 30 minute pre-shift meeting everyday.  And sometimes they'll keep you late if there's a mess to clean up.  (12.5+ hour shifts.. not even sure if that's legal, but they do it).  At one point my work schedule was changed 4-5 times in less than 6 months.
The pay isn't good enough when considering the knowledge, fast pace, stress and danger involved with the job.  The pay scale is also very vague, unfair, and political.  This is the type of company that will pay 2 different employees doing the EXACT same job two different wages; thus creating an atmosphere of competitiveness and resentment.  I mean, can you imagine working next to somebody who is doing the same task as you but you're making a dollar less than them?  Holidays and personal days are paid out at 8 hours, even though employees work 12 hours.
Acquiring a raise is difficult.  It consists of a lengthy review process which can take months to complete.  But to even get the process started an employee has to constantly 'remind' management or even threaten to quit.  I, myself, was with the company for over 6 months before they started my '90-day review'.
It's a very thankless and unsatisfying place to work.  If you've done a good job, you won't hear anything.  But, if you've made a mistake, expect to be criticized, critiqued, and spoken to by management.  You'll also hear gossip and 'he said/she said' from other employees.
There isn't much job security or advancement.  If you learn too much in one area, you'll never get moved or promoted.  I worked with individuals who, basically, had so much experience in a certain area that the company would pass them over for jobs in other areas just to keep them where they were.  It's also very easy to get terminated if you violate one of the numerous safety policies/procedures.  The facility lost $1 million in 2015 and is currently struggling to become profitable.
Management personnel are only concerned with numbers and how they look to their supervisors.  Nothing else.
The job culture here is horrendous.  This is probably one of the most hostile and stressful places that I've ever worked.

After seeing the strictness in safety and extra steps they go to make things as safe as possible I thought they must truly care about employees. Sadly I was mistaken. After being there I soon realized there is no management. The “managers” solution to fixing on the job issues with other employees is letting it work itself out. If you file any complaints through the HR department, it just trickles back down to the same management you were trying to avoid. Also, employees home life and personal time means nothing compared to their business needs. They carelessly let you know you cannot schedule plans for the weekend because at any given time they can post weekends to work last minute. The contract you sign when getting hired in states they are allowed to keep you over your natural shift by 6-8 hours and can write you up as well as point you if you do not stay. (Even if they tell you 1 min. Before clocking out... which happens often) 
It is union and everything is based on job bidding and seniority. So even if you apply and get a job, someone with more seniority than you can bid for your job and bump you out of the position you got hired into. Decent benefits, but if you like having a life and enjoy family and personal time, I’d stay away. They do not care. Most employees have been there for over 10 years so if you’re newer or lower on the totem pole, expect to be doing your job and someone else’s as they are very lazy and do what they want to without Any consequences. All the jobs are extremely easy, but common sense is not existent at this company. Many factors complicate the easy job and make it stressful. Along with common sense, coordination as well as organization are lacking also. Shipping dept. is a mess. Press and machine dept. is a mess. The machine dept. runs orders based on when they want to so they can stand around, instead of when the order is due. Shipping moves orders around so much that you can’t load anything the right way without having to fix it. They are also constantly running out of trailers, causing more work in the long run. Stay clear if you want an easy going, well constructed company to work for. Clearly GA pac. needs some work.

A typical day involved managing a high workload with multiple priorities and constant requests. Much of the time was spent responding to operational issues, processing work, and handling tasks that continued to expand beyond the original scope of the role. Resources were often limited, which required finding ways to complete more work with fewer tools or support.

I gained experience working in a large corporate environment and learned how to manage a heavy workload while supporting multiple stakeholders. The role also required developing problem-solving skills, learning internal systems, and finding ways to keep operations moving even when processes or resources were not ideal.

Management tends to follow a very top-down approach. Decisions are often made at higher corporate levels with limited input from employees who manage the day-to-day work. Employees who simply follow direction tend to fit the environment better than those who ask questions or attempt to challenge existing processes.

The culture strongly emphasizes compliance with corporate direction rather than collaboration or open discussion. Organizational changes occur frequently, and local teams often have little influence over those decisions. Long-term employee retention does not appear to be a strong focus, and experienced professionals looking for influence, growth, or competitive compensation may find better opportunities elsewhere.

The most difficult part of the job was managing the increasing workload and responsibilities without additional compensation or resources. Maintaining work/life balance could be challenging, particularly with regular on-call expectations that included nights and weekends. Variable pay was offered as part of the compensation structure, but the payouts often did not align with the expectations communicated throughout the year, which raised concerns about transparency and consistency in compensation.

The most enjoyable part of the job was gaining work experience and building connections across the industry.

Oh boy, where do I start with this. This was a summer job/internship while I was going to college, studying pulp and paper technology. I worked with a few other people I was going to college. My boss was a bit rude to be honest, and despite being an internship I spent all my time weed eating (about 90 percent of it), and maintaining the grounds. I had the pleasure of working with one of the weirdest people I have ever met. I seriously wanted to punch him in the face every time I worked with him. He was someone I had gone to college for some time, and was really weird and really annoying. 

I had to get up at 4:00 am for 5 days a week and drive nearly two hours to get here as well. We did occasionally get pizza, or donuts or food for us. By the end of the summer internship our boss did say we did a good job. Some of the other people we worked with were a bit weird as well, also worked with this really negative, old lesbian chick who i absolutely hated. 

For a time I was working full time here and part time somewhere else. On friday I would work 16 hours, I would work at Georgia Pacific for 8 hours, then change and work at my other job for 8 hours. Then work two more days at my other job, not get enough sleep for my monday shift and start all over again. 

There was a nearby restaurant that had a big huge burger, I forgot what it was called and it was delicious, that we would sometimes get. 

I'm not sure if that locations is still around or not though..

The pay was really good but that was about it. After having worked there I decided after I graduated to never work in the pulp and paper industry ever again. 

I also had at the time health issues and personal issues and almost had a couple of mental breakdowns while there as well. Also was tired nearly all the time and downed coffee nearly constantly while I worked there.

My typical workday starts out with coming in and checking my company emails. Afterwards, I go over all orders that our customers request for the next day for delivery. The report I run shows if the product has been produced or not. And if it has been ran, if the order has ran complete or has been shortened due to production error. From there, I make sure the shortages are put back in the production que. From there, I map out when the last of each customers product will be done running and if it will be done running at a timely fashion to insure that the product will be delivered out on time. As a lead person, I direct and supervise team members as to what to load and what trailer need to be closed at certain times. I am in charge of giving them orders of certain task at hand that need to be completed. I am also in charge of generating shipping document and Canadian paperwork for loads to clear the boarder when crossing. I am also forklift certified to perform their tasks also when needed. My position was a management position. But for customer demand for the desire to only deal with and speak to one superior person in charge of the department instead of dealing with three different managers on different shifts, my position then became titled shipping clerk which consist of one on every three shifts. My co-workers look up to me for guidance and leadership throughout the night to get the task at hand done. I would say the hardest part of the job would be getting the product out in a timely fashion to insure that it arrive at the customer on time being that if production is having a bad night producing the product, it puts a strain on shipping to meet these timelines. I absolutely love the multitasking and the fast pace of the job. Its challenging and at the end of the day very gratifying to get all the load out the door and make the customer and the employer happy.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Laborer 15 salaries reported	$18.55 per hour
Forklift operator 4 salaries reported	$19.37 per hour
Administrative assistant 6 salaries reported	$20.17 per hour
Production associate 2 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Material handler 12 salaries reported	$20.75 per hour

Working at Georgia-Pacific: Company Overview and Reviews

Georgia-Pacific

Georgia-Pacific Ratings

Popular jobs at Georgia-Pacific

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected