Durham
Behind the façade of a veteran and family oriented business, East Coast Diesel is one of the worst places to work and have work done. Even those that are legitimate family are treated with disrespect. Owner(s) are more concerned with what new toys they can purchase on company credit, having debtors call daily for their personal debt, than what the company could use for the betterment of the employees and customers. Vendors regularly cutting off their services for nonpayment making it nearly impossible for the employees to properly do their job, then they are the ones who are reprimanded for incomplete or untimely work. Company procedures are ever changing, from one day to the next employees are never sure what will incite a butt chewing. EPA, OSHA, federal and state labor violations are a daily occurrence, where employees are terminated for refusing to break the law. Employees are regularly terminated for the slightest infraction and the last paycheck is never seen under the disguise of them being thieves. Alcohol abuse and illicit drugs by those in managerial positions inhibit the daily workings and procedures. Positive Google reviews by employees posing as customers are more often than not, the only trustworthy ones are negative. Most veterans are not treated with the respect they deserve, but told to take “orders” from someone most out ranked in the service. Not to mention any after effects from their service are held against them. A minor (not so minor) point, the flag on the premises was absent for many months due to a few employees taking it upon themselves to take the tattered old one to the proper facility and a new one was not permitted to be placed on the pole; and when one was present it was not in proper placement (half mast when appropriate). The customers are overcharged and most kept waiting for far more than estimated repair time. Even during a global pandemic the nefarious actions do not cease. One employee suspended for going to their child’s graduation party, leaving work a few hours early and management notified a week prior. Another’s “final” paycheck dissolved to just a few dollars with no notice and a promise that because of the situation deductions would not happen. The owner(s) also sent out companywide emails and text messages for all employees, unless told otherwise, to file for unemployment; some even told to work after filing. Then after finding out with 60% of the work force laid off they would not be eligible for small business loans, they sent emails stating anyone who filed were voluntarily leaving their positions. Few of the laid off employees were permitted to return. Those employed the longest are for many reasons, partners with financial stake in the company and those that are willing to bend and break laws.