Pros
High barrier of entry cost into the industry, and most competition died during the great recession. Many Sherwin-Williams stores have almost no competition. The company also offers benefits and bonuses if you are in management. Some benefits for full time employees, but they are doing away with that position for the most part.
Cons
During the great recession staff was cut down to the minimum. I distinctly remember going to meeting about this issue. The idea was to cut as much as possible while still remaining efficient. We were told that when the recession was over we would come out of it smelling like a rose, owning half our competition while the other half died off. Then we would staff the stores again. Half of this was true. The stores where never staffed again. Upper management must have thought we did such a good job being understaffed there was little reason to bring on more men. Now many employees are beginning to leave and the ones still around are worn out bad. The company also use to employ from within. They valued experience over everything else. Now they almost only hire people right out of college. These college kids do not know anything for the first year. This angers the old time employees looked over. They are told they do not get the promotion, but then asked to train their new boss. The college kids only end up angering customers who see the injustice. Then after a year or two, with a college degree and some work experience they leave the company. I was originally an employee for a company that Sherwin-Williams acquired. I watched over 7 years as they cut full time employees, looked over loyal employees, and mocked good men who worked for other companies. Upper management has a real pride issue they need to deal with. They feel they are invincible and no one can take them out. They treat employees like office supplies, to be used and then replaced. I remember working for the small paint company before the buyout. I guess I stuck around so long because I couldn’t make myself believe it was gone.