Great place before the recession. Now who cares, we just get the boxes from A to B. - Distribution Fastenal Employee Review

1.0
Apr 15, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Pretty relaxed schedule. Pay is ok when you can figure out how the bonus works (good luck). A few fun people to work with. My leaders (in my DC) understand my frustrations. Ability to move around within the DC and learn everything.

Cons

Wow where to begin!! Without revealing too many details (afraid "they" will find out who I am) lets just say that Fastenal has turned a lot of career minded, dedicated, hard working "team members" into employees who couldn't care less. Since the circus of 08-09 nobody cares. We all learned how little we matter. Fastenal has turned into a good place to get experience to build your resume. I know some of the big boys read these or at least hear about them. That's how I know none of them care. Nobody cares anymore, nobody. Our bonus program has changed at least ten times. Not too long ago it changed after the quarter had ended and that change applied to the work we had already done. So the payout was going to be a lot more than they (he) wanted and so they (he) threw in some BS, bonus lowering category. So even if you work all quarter exceeding the expectation you were given it doesn't matter. They (he) will find a way to make sure you don't get the money you earned. I m no attorney but I can't believe that this is legal. Oh they get around that by calling it a bonus, a bonus that you have to depand on because your salary is so low. From what I have heard the store employees commission pay is way more messed up. They have so many factors I haven't meet someone yet who can explain it to me. Fastenal won't make it another 48 years at the rate it's going. Something has to change and now! People around me (including myself) are preparing themselves financially to leave. I predict in 5 years a lot of the good people will be gone. Then again they will just replace you with the next 19 year old at a fraction of the pay. Oh yeah don't get on here and post your "I don't know what your talking about" BS either. If you honestly think everything is cookies and cupcakes your one of the reasons why it's not. Ever wonder why the employee satisfaction survey results were never released? Get a grip!

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Jan 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

This role at Fastenal has great benefits and has a lot of potential for growth.

Cons

The job responsibilities vary day to day. Lots of different requirements of the job.

3.0
Jun 9, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They offer training programs through their internal “Fastenal School of Business.” A few good mentors to guide you should you find one and if you’re willing.

Cons

* Work/Life Balance - No official WFH opportunities. Branch employees were told to report, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 15 days of PTO (10 for vacation and 5 for sick). You don’t earn additional PTO until the start of the year following your 5 year anniversary. * Pay - pay is inconsistent and they find reasons to change your pay by eliminating and changing titles. Pay is below industry standard and is a base + bonus program for most roles. * Boys Club - Especially in MN/WI area. Positions created or filled for cast off tenured employees to find them another spot rather than termination. Promotions based on political moves instead of merit or opportunities for growth. Positions posted for new roles internally but sometimes not shared with teams to allow for those politically motivated decisons to fill a spot. If a role is only posted for 1-week vs 2-weeks, it usually means they have a specific candidate in mind to take that role. * Cheap & Tacky - Required to travel but not all meals are covered. Welcome to stay at hotel that offers free breakfast but no per diem for lunch or dinner. Some meetings or trainings might provide lunch. When traveling for team meetings or trainings, usually required to share rooms - sometimes with other employees you’ve never met. Encouraged to book rooms using discount codes provided by customers. There is a target room rate they’d like you to hit and sometimes it means driving out of the way. They’d rather the expense hit elsewhere such as fuel and travel versus the room rate.

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