Pros
Free snacks Kirkland location Remembrances of the good times before Lowe's took over
Cons
There is not much else to say that hasn't been said in the recent reviews. Lowe's has come in with their iron fist, antiquated procedures, "My way or the highway" attitude, and a "no one is irreplaceable" mindset. What used to be an excellent place to learn and grow, as well as feel accepted and appreciated, has become a dark, dreary, and depressing place. Morale is so low there, that people didn't even recognize me after I put in my 2 weeks notice. I later found out that it was because I was actually smiling. The average developer is grossly underpaid, under appreciated and expected to work or be on call 24 hours a day (You won't be paid for that or get time off to compensate, this is just time you are expected to donate to Lowe's). Get used to hearing "That is not something that Lowe's does" to each and every question you have. It is common to see slunked shoulders, black bags under eyes, and a disdainful look of "I have just given up" on everyone. It is like being trapped in an excessively abusive relationship with your employer. Lowe's has broken promise after promise, to the point that they have simply become outright lies. I am not sure how management there even sleeps at night, I wouldn't be able to if I were forced to lie constantly to my coworkers. They promised, again, and again, that pay would be brought up to industry standard, but they always had an excuse as to why they couldn't do it. They made up insulting titles (reserved only for interns in Mooresville), assigned the bulk of the development floor to it, and made it impossible to ever advance. Everything is wrapped in multiple layers of red tape and bureaucracy, that it is to the point that you need the Pope's blessing to even do your job. There have been multiple rounds of unexpected layoffs, and when they finally came through with our meager "cost of living" adjustments (3% or less), they made sure to give those out during the second and most brutal round of layoffs, so not only could the remaining few be angered at the slightness of the pay increase, but also feel guilty that they received it in accordance with their friends being laid off. I could go on, and on, and on about this place (16 years of technical debt, Lowe's laptops so locked down you can't go to YouTube, being constantly looked down upon by your "betters" in Mooresville, obnoxious coworkers as they are the only ones that are left, etc, etc). It is the epitome of Corporate Autocracy stomping on the peasantry and serfs that are their resources (they won't even call you an employee here, you are simply a means to a better bottom line). Suffice it to say, nothing that happens here jives with normalcy in Seattle, and I would be very surprised to see it open much past the first of the year. Anyone of any worth (that hasn't already been laid off) has left for greener pastures, and is amazed at how differently that they are treated at their new jobs. It really is sad to see how quickly and easily that Lowe's has ruined this once great place to work and be a part of. I couldn't recommend going elsewhere anymore. You are better than this place.
