Good company - Analyst nternational Asbestos Testing Laboratories Employee Review

Almost unlimited overtime for analysts that is flexible, however this has changed in recent years. You will encounter virtually no oversight if you do a good job and get samples done. Lab work in general is flexible and many shifts are available outside of regular business hours for those that want it. Emphasis is placed on quality not quantity. The company has a reputation within the asbestos industry for focus on quality results - and there are many examples of where it shows compared to other labs. It is a small company with only a few people in management positions. There are a lot of technical improvements that can be made in the operation of the lab and other "special projects" and the initiative to participate and improve is welcome - just don't expect a raise or any help in doing so - it can be a welcome break from the otherwise repetitive and boring nature of commercial analytical work. Management improvements have been made in recent years. A good work environment with the ability to do work at your own pace and chat with colleagues provided your work gets done in a reasonable time.

Difficult to learn anything about microscopy outside the realm of practical asbestos identification which can be frustrating for those wanting to learn more and understand the science. Lack of research related work in recent years such as method development and mineral identification. Management seems overworked and doesn't have time to deal with details and nuances of lab operation, which means problems typically get fixed only when the client notices them. This can be frustrating, although analysts typically never hear from clients or understand the final impact of their work anyway. This is actually done by design so that analysts are not biased in their analysis which can be a good thing at times. Profit margins are slim for asbestos analysis so the company can only do so much for compensation.

If you’re looking to get into a lab environment which is relevant to geology, petrology, and material science, this can be a good place to start. Their benefits and time off are pretty good these days. The business is always improving as well, and I may update my review over the next year depending on how much they improve.

Up to now, they’ve been very tight with how much employees receive in compensation. Their starting salary is around $19, and has been for many years; a salary which is difficult to live on unless you’re living with roommates, or your family. I’ve seen several people struggle with this if they live alone. In the past, they would offer a 2% cost of living adjustment, which is typically 1% below the National inflation, and employees have to demand better pay or, unfortunately, threaten to leave in order to receive reasonable raises. Management has traditionally made many promises regarding cross-training in XRD or TEM which they have sadly never honored for as long as I’ve been here.