I am a former employee of Fender Musical Instruments, previously assigned to the San Bernardino facility located at 1295 E Central Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92408. I was employed from November 2024 through February 2026, after which I took leave and subsequently resigned due to personal circumstances.
During my tenure, I observed several ongoing issues that, in my view, impacted on employee morale, workplace equity, and overall operational effectiveness. I am providing this information with the intention of supporting a safe, respectful, and professionally managed work environment for current and future employees.
Workplace Conditions
Throughout my employment, I noted recurring concerns regarding facility cleanliness and general upkeep. Outdated or unused materials remained on the production floor for extended periods, including empty sanitation stations from the COVID19 era. The designated employee lunch area in the southwest corner of the building was infrequently cleaned, and the employee restroom consistently lacked proper maintenance and ventilation.
Favoritism and Inconsistent Policy Enforcement
A persistent challenge within the facility was the inconsistent enforcement of workplace policies. Certain employees, often those with close personal relationships with leaders or supervisors--were permitted to disregard established rules without consequence. For example, some individuals routinely wore earbuds on the production floor, concealed by long hair, despite clear company policies prohibiting such behavior. These violations were known to leadership but were not addressed.
Repack Department Experience
At the request of a lead, I trained in the repack area and was informed that the department required someone capable of performing the role efficiently. I was paired with an employee who stated he had been with the company for 25 years. I quickly learned the responsibilities, consistently met expectations, and often worked at a faster pace than the individual training me.
However, this employee frequently used his cellphone during work hours, resulting in an uneven distribution of workload. Despite reporting this behavior to the lead, no corrective action was taken. After several months, I communicated that I preferred not to continue in the area if the issue remained unaddressed. Instead of resolving the concern, the lead reassigned me and allowed the other employee to remain in the role. This outcome was discouraging and indicative of a broader pattern of inequitable treatment.
Management Conduct and Employee Engagement
Employees often felt scrutinized for minor issues while others were permitted to disregard policies without consequence. Many skilled guitar inspectors worked under significant pressure, aware that their performance was being closely monitored, yet they did not consistently receive acknowledgment or respect for their efforts.
Management interactions were frequently limited and impersonal. Supervisors regularly walked the production floor without engaging with employees, speaking primarily with leads or selecting individuals. One supervisor routinely visited the floor multiple times per day but seldom interacted with staff unless approached directly.
Employee Recognition Practices
The employee recognition process appeared inconsistent and lacked transparency. Although employees were asked to vote for peers deserving acknowledgment, the final selections often did not reflect those votes. In several instances, individuals with only a few months of tenure were recognized and subsequently left the company shortly afterward, while longterm employees who had never been acknowledged continued to be overlooked. Additionally, there was no visible display or followthrough to highlight or celebrate recognized employees.
Overall Workplace Culture
The close relationships
between management, leaders, and certain employees contributed to an environment where many workers felt excluded, undervalued, and easily replaceable. Despite the demanding nature of the work, employees received limited meaningful recognition beyond occasional cookouts or surfacelevel gestures. The environment often felt unstable, and morale was negatively affected.
This culture appeared to predate my employment and, without meaningful intervention, is likely to persist. The employees at this location are dedicated individuals who take pride in their work. They deserve to be treated with fairness, dignity, and genuine appreciation.
I hope this feedback supports efforts to improve the workplace experience for the employees who remain. read more
