plumber

fleet technician

maintenance electrician

transit manager

systems analyst

Region of Waterloo

Where to start? At first, the pay, benefits, and dedication to training seemed enough despite a few red flags.  I spent 10 years in two different departments of Environemtal Services. The upper management of these departments hate theyre employees  and I'm not using that term flippantly. Most of the time you can forget that you're being treated/reprimanded like a child for minor issues that normally management would not even waste time discussing, but the problem is there are too many managers who are trying to fill their time and justify their existence.  This manifests into ridiculous micromanaging and unnecessary discipline on a constant basis. Pair all this with their complete lack of technical ability (generally under qualified), foresight, lack of trust, horrible union relations, and you have the most dysfunctional workplace I have ever seen.  All while managers smugly continue to watch the department burn down around them with a grin.  To be fair most lower level managers are just as frustrated, and are subject to the same treatment by upper management and HR, but will not stand up to them.  
I worked there long enough to know that this is the consensus among workers. Some were able to turn their thoughts off and coast along, but thats not what I wanted for my career.  Many capable employees with great educations, certifications, and designations, but zero trust from management to let them flourish.

This used to be a great place to work with so so many dedicated and experienced staff members who genuinely cared about their work.  Since Covid and with retirements, this place has tanked. 

Many new staff and departments made for no good reason.  Those of us still there are wondering why, and is it worth it anymore.  Instead of caring about the Region, it is now some sort of urinating contest to see which Commissioner can complete the biggest and shiniest project and make Council happy.  Common sense has completely gone out of the window and there is no oversight with a CEO missing for over a year, and some guy some transportation running the show as an acting CEO.  Bad decisions (often NO decisions which is worse) are being made leaving staff wondering what their role is, and told there's no money for raises despite massive amounts of new hires. 

If you are thinking of going to ROW and you want to be appreciated, respected, and rewarded for your innovation and integrity, go elsewhere.  Benefits are great, but that's not good enough.  If you interview, ask how many new commissioners there are who have been there for under 3 years.  Ask about turn-over.  Ask what happened to the last guy doing the job. Ask how decisions are made.  Ask if there are any rewards or even opportunities to share good ideas.  


Enjoyed my job. Same hours , part time , same job each day. I only worked my shifts and didn't want more. I learned various jobs over the years. Management changed over during my time and that had a negative impact on the company as a whole. The union isn't good they don't have a lot of strength. The pay is good. Lots of Toxic people making the environment difficult to work in at times and created a lot of undo stress. jobs are well planned out and the pace is good as well. I loved meeting my friends from other areas of the building for breaktime. I didn't mingle outside of my trusted friendships for various reasons. I stayed out of drama and away from those I felt were problem people. The hardest part was my Manager she contributed to the stress , drama and fights within our department. She rarely came on the floor to greet staff and had a very unapproachable personality with some people. While almost overly friendly with others creating a very hard dynamic with in the department. 

I only leave the very best reviews and this employer deserves one of them. I have been in the service of the region for over a year  now (PHE - IDS) and the kind of training and support i received is commendable. Everyone from line level employees to director level staff are very supportive and understanding. Your part of the bargain is that you give in your 100% and it gets noticed. My immediate manager and the head of department have tolerance for errors and they guide you so that you don't make the same mistakes again. They understand that everyone makes mistakes and its part of the learning process. The leadership in my department leads with examples and are always available to support when needed. I work in the covid initiative of PHE - ROW and processes and procedures are very dynamic, at times things have been hectic during the various surges of the virus but the level of planning, team effort, direction has been very effective. The only drawback with this position is that it is temporary. However i knew this when i signed up and will knowingly do it again. 

Great atmosphere and relationships between fellow employees but management is terrible.

Managers constantly deny flexible schedules, question people about their sick days and try to deny employees the right to take sick time. When inclement weather arises, individuals who live out of town may have to leave without pay or use vacation if they wish to get home safely.

Benefits are constantly being downgraded while workloads increase with no new employee positions hired to balance the workload. It is hard at times to meet deadlines.

Pay is comparable to other corporations for government organizations although fees deducted have increased greatly and fee increases are greater than bargained pay increases.

Stress levels are high among employees.

Typical work day is face-paced and ever changing due to policy changes of more than one level of government.
A job or special project well done is noticed and appreciated by management. Personal recognition is now a part of the values and standards set out by the Region of Waterloo.
My co-workers are easy to get a long with and each bring good ideas and specialties to the work environment.
The hardest part of the job is knowing we serve the most vulnerable people in our Region and sometimes have to make difficult decisions regarding their eligibility for Ontario Works benefits and having to say No sometimes.
The most enjoyable part of the job is working with people you consider as family as you spend a good part of your day with them.
Everyone cares about each other and tries to help. My team mates are good listeners and it is a joy to go to work just to work with them.

Love the job and the ability to make a difference in the community.  The employer sucks and does not motivate employees.  They have a hire and fire work environment.   Regional council should be aware of the waste of money and culture that exists there.  There are a lot of great people behind the wheel of $800,000.00 buses and people that care that run daily operations.   The mangers follow stuff that runs down a hill and cant wait till 4pm , when they can go home.  During an interview for transit supervisor they want to hear that you can be proactive, motivate employees and always insure they are safe and healthy.  Always take care of employees and ensure service for our customers.   This is the biggest pile of lies, i have ever heard.

Working as a Technologist within the Transportation Group has been a great experience so far. Everyone is generally happy and not stressed out (unlike the private sector where I was before). I appreciate the hierarchy in place that is there for clarity and Supervisors/Managers are generally very supportive and engaging with staff. There are lots of opportunities as a Civil professional to change roles or groups within the Region. Compensation is also way better then private sector and the work/life balance is actually respected. Extra holidays, more sick days, better benefits and a real pension plan top it all off. 

Too focused on discipline, suspensions for tiny mistakes and always getting chewed out by supervisors. The public on the buses can be very rude and drivers don’t feel safe. No one ever has your back. It’s an awful job. Drivers have lots of mental health crises. Pay and benefits are great which is why people do it. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Retiring holidays and benefits.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Work load and incompetent management. They have a fail up promotion style. If you can't do your job you get promoted. Needs to have a house cleaning.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
20 percent does 100 percent of the work. Way too much useless management. I had to retire early to get away from it. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Very busy looking after many issues

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Plumber 3 salaries reported	$37.21 per hour
Fleet technician 2 salaries reported	$35.07 per hour
Maintenance electrician 1 salary reported	$38.88 per hour
Transit manager 1 salary reported	$90,948 per year
Systems analyst 1 salary reported	$102,703 per year

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