security officer

line cook

cook

surveillance operator

host/hostess

PENN Entertainment, Inc.

As a surveillance agent working for Penn National gaming you be tasked with protecting company assets while monitoring cameras and staying in direct contact with the security team, table games supervisors, and other  departments located on site. You will review table games play, incidents on the floor, and routine tasks involving money on the floor to ensure employees and patrons are in compliance with company policies as well as state and federal law. On occasion you will be required to save footage for the company or an outside law enforcement agency.  Overall the job itself is enjoyable but that's where my satisfaction with being a surveillance agent at HC in Charles Town WV began and ended. 

You will begin your first few days/weeks observing agents completing day to day tasks and taking calls to review incidents on the floor. You will not be able to use the equipment yourself until you receive your lottery license from the state. During this time you will also read the state regulations for table games and casino operations. None of this information will be directly applicable during your time as a SA at HCCTR. You are tasked with reading this dribble because the management team has not put together a training schedule or they are too lazy to provide you with hands on training.

When you get your license and are able to use the surveillance equipment you will begin taking basic calls to help learn the cameras on the floor. This is very intimidating at first and it may seem like you will never get the hang of it, but within a month you should be comfortable using the cameras to track your way through the casino. This is provided you are driven to learn and your designated peer mentor is engaging. 

Your pay will begin at $13/hr and will increase as you complete "levels" of knowledge. You will learn the different table game terms, rules, and payouts. As well as operations procedures for different departments within the casino. When you complete a level(5 total), you will be tested. If you pass the test, you will receive a raise. Once you pass all 5 levels you should be at about $15/hr. 

The benefits are available 3 months after your hire date. This includes health, dental, vision and 401k. There is also an onsite health facility that you can go to for checkups free of charge. PTO is earned each biweekly paycheck and is determined by average hours worked and time with company. Expect 2.5-4 hrs of PTO every 2 weeks. I've honestly seen better benefits provided at fast food restaurants and convenience stores. 

The culture in the surveillance department is toxic. This starts at the top. The director of surveillance is an authoritarian who is close minded with a short temper. He's a short, little, angry man who doesn't know how to lead people. This individual and those in the management team will only feign interest in you as a person, professionally and personally. You will hear the terms "family", "close knit" , and "caring" quite a bit but this is a facade. 

I've seen management team members discuss the personal lives of each other and their subordinates for their own personal entertainment. You will be asked your opinion on potential changes but it will be disregarded completely because the change you were asked about was already decided. This happened recently with our thoughts on changes in the hrs we work, both start times and length of shifts. 

The management team will do very little to help you advance your knowledge in this role. The exception would be if you learned the tasks reserved for supervisors and did their work. You will be praised with compliments for doing such a good job with those tasks. The reason they provide that praise is so you keep doing their job. They're lazy and think you're stupid. 

If you work the weekends and the casino is busy, don't expect the management team to jump in and help. What you can expect is for them to eat 3 lunches while getting frustrated and getting short with you if you have questions regarding your job or need help. You will also see the management team turning a blind eye to people in the department and on the floor breaking company rules as long as they are favored. The same rules can be broken by someone the team has a "target" on and that individual will be written up. There is no integrity in this department. 

I witnessed an individual within the department cheat though the levels by using their phone to save answers. She doesn't know the first thing about table games and doesn't help with any high priority calls but she makes as much as someone who worked hard to gain this knowledge. This was brought up to the management team but was swept under a rug. I'm not sure if its because she wears a leather jacket, and snacks all night while yawning out loud like a dog, but this didn't seem right. 

In conclusion, don't apply for this circus of a department. You're better off getting a job that you make money off of tips like slot attendant or cocktail server.

Initially an exciting company to work for. Everything seems great for a while, and then you realize how the company ACTUALLY works, especially if you're at management level. The company forces all of their properties to put on a facade of fun and excitement, all the while cutting staff and working the ones left to death. They introduce ridiculous programs that the employees absolutely despise and only degrade employee morale even more. The directors and management staff of bonus eligible status care only about the bonuses they'll receive. They care little (or not at all) about the condition of the property or the well-being of their employees. It's all about achieving that bonus. If they don't achieve that bonus, they're off to another Penn owned property within a few years to try to make it there. Research director level turnover by property or ask any current employee how many general managers they've had in the past few years.

Forget how the company tells you they value their customers. There is no REAL dedication to customer retention ... the company knows that dedicated gamblers will continue to return and continue to lose their money regardless of how nice the staff is, regardless of how clean the facility is, regardless of how many pitiful marketing strategies they throw at the unsuspecting public.

Most, Penn properties have at least one union representing most of their hourly employees - some properties have dealers that are the exception. Some of the newer Penn properties have not yet become unionized ... but they will. The unions are as much of a joke as the company. Some part-time employees barely make enough to pay the union dues, but that matters little to either the union or the company. The union(s) will do one thing ... they will protect lazy employees from well deserved disciplinary action. I wouldn't count that as a plus.

If you must work for this company, definitely do not expect ANY advancement opportunities, especially at the smaller properties. If you work for this company and are of exempt status, BEWARE, as your position can and will be dissolved without notice and at the whim of the directors of the property. "Go to work every day expecting it to be your last, and you won't be surprised when it is" ... words to live by with this company.

I will NOT sugar coat or hold back anything in which I personally experienced while employed at the Hollywood Casino in Columbus OH. As what “sounded/seemed” like a great, FUN, rewarding place to work was actually a huge waste of my time  (thats something I will never get back) but let’s also add the money I’m STILL paying on a casino licenses in which I can do absolutely NOTHING with that is almost 600.00 out of packet!! I worked in the cage and did not get a choice of shift so of course I get thrown on grave. (The only positive thing I can say about this place is my two colleagues were awesome, now that’s sad to say the least) You get NO shift differential (absolutely blows my mind) The tips are split between EVERYONE on EVERY SHIFT then they’re taxed and given to you on your check. Training consists of another employee that’s only been there a couple months themselves showing you the ropes while management sits in a little side office on their phone and get irritate when they have to pull out a til and help with the line that’s wrapped around because people still have lives outside of Hollywood and life still happens when people have children or family reasoning and need to call off now and again. I however was released from being late to work. Not to mention there are employees there that started before me that were also late EVERYDAY and lived 10 minutes away tops while I live an hour away face construction and wreck’s daily and I get pointed for being LITERALLY 2-3 minutes late (in which I have the paper showing the 2-3 minutes of me being late)…others called off a few times I know of since I started but at least I show up and work. It’s  hard enough to find people that actually want to work and come in to work these days and yet this company wants to be petty and let someone go for being late…but management can be late and  nothing is said…you’re held accountable for errors in which you’re not taught until you come across them but that counts against you. I’m more than willing to continue to tell how I requested contact info for a union rep via emails IN Which I also still have with no response back from management nor HR! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions as I will tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. 

You work 12 hour shifts on your feet, with 2 15 minute breaks and 1 30 minute break to sit down. You are required to walk your assigned area (which could be quite large) every 10 minutes. You are not allow to talk to co workers on the floor. If seen talking to them you will be reprimanded. The eyes in the sky are more concerned with you doing your job than watching out for criminal activity. You must pass an extensive background check through the state to gain employment. This is something You are required to pay for. $400. They take so much per pay out of your check. You have a union, that was brought in by Penn National. It is clear that they have Penn National's interests above yours, yet you must pay $200 entrance fee and $13 per pay to them, which is also subtracted from your check. You are told that you will make very good tips at this job, from high rollers who hit jackpots. These tips are placed in a box and split between every slot ambassador who works that day, whether or not they had anything to do with the transaction. You may make $100 one day and $3 the next. It depends on how heavily they have staffed the day. So it doesn't matter whether these extra people are needed, you must split your tips with them.

Management doesn't really seem to care about employees, they stay in the back and do a lot of talking and laughing behind closed doors. If we are busy they will never stay past their shift to help out, they are poor examples of management style.

The hardest part of the job is dealing with the mentality there. Morale is low and you feel it the moment you actually start working.
You could work over and above because they are short handed, but if you need a day off and it doesn't suit them, it will be denied.

The best part of the job was talking to the customers and taking care of them. I am a people person and enjoyed that very much

The Slot Department Team was an excellent group to work with.

Team members however are stretched thin by upper management (actually HDQ). Local upper management at Hollywood is highly qualified and will go to extreme lengths to work with their crew on any issue (except staffing). 
 
Obviously the hardest part of the job, as my prior comments state, is the staffing issues. One Slot Attendant is technically sufficient to cover the almost 2400 machines when guest attendance is low.  But it's guest service that keeps this "casino in a cornfield" prosperous. Managers and Supervisors often need to supplement the floor coverage, causing a blur in the relationship of Slot Attendants and Management. Slot Attendants may be tipped, Management may not. This has always created tension.

Most enjoyable as slot management was my VP of Operations.  Very demanding person, but exceedingly fair. I never felt alone, often disagreed with, but never as though my needs or opinion were being dismissed. Lucky to have had him as a boss.

A typical day at work was fast paced (mostly) and often rewarding. Penn offered me, with no prior management history, the chance to expand my mind and taught me that management is not the enemy of hourly employees.  In fact just the opposite.  Management in the Slot Department value their crew sometimes to their own personal frustration.  The Slot Attendants are (in my opinion) the most appreciated in the casino, and with tips normally make a minimum of $20.00 hr to start. 

Good luck if you decide to apply, but be ready to work.  It's no vacation, but well worth the effort.

With Penn National Gaming, employees are not just another number. Corporate really cares about each member of the Penn Family. The executive leadership for PNG is committed to growing their own and providing their employees the opportunity to pursue an education that will benefit the individual and the organization.

I learned a lot about the service profit chain and the need to take care of the employees at all levels. Happy employees means they enjoy what they do and will deliver the most exceptional service experience for their guests.

At a property level, management needed to be nurtured. Many of the managers at the property I worked for had been promoted from within. Many of whom were great at their job but needed grooming on the management level. Due to a sloping economy and discretionary spending being limited, many managers were being stretched a bit too far as staffing levels were being "right-sized."

The staff were like a family. Many of them had been with the property for many years, some, since opening.

The hardest part of the job was keeping morale up during the economic downturn.

The most enjoyable part of the job was walking down the hall and seeing people who valued one another and were willing to support each other at all costs.

My job was basically an easy job. And the trend with these types of easy jobs,is the people you are forced to work with,make it very difficult. Warehouse was your typical set up of stocking items from pallets to freezers/coolers. Rotation of stock. Filling req's/orders in a timely fashion,on one side of the dock,and data entry/computer skills on the other. With the delivery of mail and packages to various departments. I got certified for being able to operate an electric pallet jack! (whoo-hoo). The workplace culture as a whole was "Okay". With the EXCEPTION to one individual was a definite a "problem child" from the get go. This person would constantly be complaining about everyone else,had a bad attitude,thought they were better and a basic mr. know it all type of nasty,caustic,overly sarcastic attitude.. Obviously H.R,my co-workers,other departments as well as the outside people knew this. And nothing was done. Sad when this happens because you loose so many good potential workers. The most enjoyable part of the job were the many other good people in/outside my department I liked working with. The hardest part was reaching the end of my rope and leaving.

A typical day is cleaning restrooms on all four floors. Dealing with bodily fluids from carelessness etc.  Dealing with different types of personalities with our guests.  Cleaning all of your machines in your designated areas of the casino.  Sweep and mop floors, vaccuming. Cleaning the entrances, emptying trash cans in your areas and restrooms,
My co workers are great.  Personally most of the people I have come into contact with daily have the same concerns or issues with working there,  
Hardest part of the job would be, dealing with the sudden changes to your scheduling in reference to having your hours changed on a moments notice and theres nothing you can do about it. Your told you can always find employment elsewhere if you can not accomadate their needs,
Most enjoyable would be meeting new people, getting to know your guests and being excited when they win jackposts or free spins in your presents.  I enjoy very much what I do on the casino floor.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Penn was the best company I ever worked for the people there are amazing!

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part would definitely be trying to get some of the casino’s to answer the phone to connect the customers directly to their property which is a big part of the job but nothing stressful as far as Penn entertainment itself. Overall you’ll enjoy working there.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is pretty laid back, very engaging, help on the spot if you need it and the supervisor are very patient and informative.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Typical day normally runs very smooth once you know what your doing, the job is pretty repetitive but once you find your flow your good other than some minor tech issues you might run into every now and and again. The company is constantly growing so you might have to adjust to the changes but they are really good on preparing you for those changes.

*Upper management is overpaid and doesn't reward hard word, unless you are friends with them

*Yearly pay increase is 2%

*Smoking environment with zero ventilation

*A documented history of scandals when it comes to their racing operations, yet those executives are still working there

*Company claims "its a privilege for someone to visit or work here" 

*Dishonestly runs through the blood of corporation and every-time you read something on them, they cry about the gambling laws and why it isn't fair to them. 

*Work hours are insane, but they will cut your shift ASAP when they don't need you.

*To qualify for benefits, you practically have to work 38 hours, which changed from 32 when I started. 

*The top people get lofty bonus payouts, between 10-15% based on cutting and cutting staff, while the people doing the hard-work is lucky to see a $50-$100 yearly bonus, which the company loves to brag about being generous to their employees. 

*Housekeeping lacks true skills to keep the place clean

*Security turnover is horrendous 

*Morale is beyond repairable

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Security officer 143 salaries reported	$17.30 per hour
Line cook 72 salaries reported	$17.74 per hour
Cook 73 salaries reported	$18.92 per hour
Surveillance operator 66 salaries reported	$18.52 per hour
Host/hostess 38 salaries reported	$14.83 per hour

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