Watco Looks Out for You
When we say we look out for team members’ best interests, we mean it. Team members find meaning in the important work they do, and Watco strives to provide an environment that supports each person’s welfare and work-life balance. One way we focus on team member wellbeing is through an extensive and growing package of perks and benefits.
401(k) Retirement Plans
From their first day of employment, regular full-time team members are eligible to participate in Watco’s 401(k) retirement plan. Watco matches 50% of the first 10% contributed by team members. And team members can choose the money markets and investment funds where they want their dollars invested.
Advancement Opportunities
Every team member looking for career growth has a chance to advance at Watco. To support individual goals, the company offers about 8,000 online, on-demand business and industry training courses through Watco University, and managers support team members with annual goal setting. We offer up to $1,000 per semester tuition reimbursement to full-time team members. Educational scholarships also are available for team member dependents.
Paid On-the-Job Training
At Watco, team members earn while they learn new skills. Watco pays for any required, job-specific certifications and, at most of its railroad and terminal locations, provides paid training in equipment operation, train service, stevedoring, and track, railcar and locomotive maintenance. One-on-one training, featuring guidance from an experienced mentor, creates a clear path to higher-level positions in the company over time.
Paid Vacation
Watco recognizes the importance of vacation time to give team members the chance for rest, recreation, and personal activities. Full-time hourly team members accrue paid vacation hours based on length of service. Salaried team members are under the open vacation policy and are free to take vacation when they require it, with the approval from their direct supervisor.
Award-Winning Culture
We constantly look for ways to show team members they’re valued, from making contributions toward major medical expenses to hosting fun events like on-site food trucks. Our human resources (People Services) managers conduct “stay” interviews (versus exit interviews) to learn what Watco is doing right and where we can improve. These demonstrations of caring are a key reason Watco was recognized on recent Forbes and Newsweek lists as a great place to work.
Comprehensive Health Benefits
Eligible team members have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance; company-paid life insurance; short-term disability insurance, and numerous other benefits, many of which Watco helps pay for. Brokers who benchmark Watco’s benefits plan often say our offerings are highly desirable as compared to other companies of our size.