I worked at SIAV Chicago for approximately 10 months, and I can confidently say that it was the worst job I have ever had and the worst company I have ever worked for. The environment there was extremely toxic and unprofessional, with no indication that upper management had any intention of making changes. To provide some context, the controller in the company displayed sexist and misogynistic behavior and was also highly incompetent in his role. Despite consistently making mistakes that warranted termination, the partners overlooked them but swiftly fired anyone who dared to question the existing systems. There was a severe lack of camaraderie between entry-level employees and upper management. During my time there, only two people consistently greeted me and became genuine friends, while the VP, who was also my boss, consistently exhibited rudeness, conflict avoidance, and a curt demeanor. Whenever conflicts were brought to his attention, he would sweep them under the rug and make minimal efforts to resolve them. For a considerable period of time, Sound Investment had no HR department, and the VP assumed the role of HR personnel. This created a serious ethical issue, as employees had no avenue to raise complaints if they pertained to the VP himself, particularly since the HR person reported to him. I'm not implying that he has been accused of anything specific, but this situation poses a significant problem given his influential position within the company. Numerous complaints have been lodged against the controller, yet he inexplicably continues to be employed despite the potential for catastrophic mistakes. This is entirely unacceptable. Moreover, the partners displayed a complete lack of investment in their employees, treating them like mere machines and servants. The workers on the production floor were treated like animals and were not adequately compensated for their efforts. Out of the three partners, only one treated me with kindness during my tenure, while the other two were consistently rude, demanding, and condescending. This is particularly disheartening because many of the salespeople and technicians within the company are exceptional at their jobs but receive little to no appreciation for their hard work. These issues I've mentioned only begin to scratch the surface of the deeply unethical and unprofessional practices that permeate this company. It is crucial that anyone considering employment here be aware of these problems. For the sake of the diligent employees, I sincerely hope that the VP and partners recognize the need for significant systemic changes in the near future, as the future viability of this company remains uncertain. In light of these circumstances, I reiterate that Sound Investment is not merely a regrettable option for employment, but an unmistakably unsound investment.
