Is Your Auto Shop's Toxic Culture Costing You Top Talent?

Chris Lawson

Feb 12 • 🏅Retention Strategies🏅

I've been sourcing technicians for independent auto shops since 2017 and here's one big lesson I've learned:

Shops with toxic cultures struggle to attract and retain top talent.

Period.

I've seen it happen over and over.

A shop has an opening for a skilled tech.

We post the job with a compelling ad and promote it heavily across the internet.

We get some solid applicants in the door.

But as soon as candidates start asking around or worse, come in for an interview and feel the environment firsthand, they run for the hills.

No amount of money can compensate for a workplace where they'll feel unappreciated, stressed out and disrespected.

Over the years I've gotten better at spotting the dud shops but I always like to pass along great information on how even well-run shops can be on the lookout for signs that they can tighten things up.

Here is an example of some critical research that can help in maintaining a great culture:

iHire's recent Toxic Workplace Trends Report revealed some alarming statistics:

75% of employees have worked in a toxic environment
Poor leadership, unfair treatment, and lack of appreciation were the top drivers of toxicity
Over half of workers have quit a job due to a negative workplace - and nearly 60% would take a pay cut to escape one!

As shop owners, it's easy to have blind spots about team culture.

That's when you get so focused on moving cars through bays that the "soft stuff" gets ignored.

But make no mistake, culture matters immensely to your current and future employees.

So how can you identify and fix cultural issues before they infect your shop? Here are 3 practical steps:

Evaluate your leadership. Are you and your managers leading by example? Providing clear expectations and feedback? Treating everyone fairly and equitably? Your leadership is the foundation of your culture. Invest in management training and take an honest look at your own behaviors and biases.
Show authentic appreciation. Recognize and reward your technicians meaningfully and often. Give specific praise, performance incentives, and growth opportunities. Small gestures like handwritten thank you notes go a long way. When your mechanics feel valued, they work harder and stay longer.
Solicit and act on feedback Don't assume you know how your employees feel. Institute regular anonymous surveys and 1-on-1 check-ins to uncover issues and ideas. Most importantly, communicate how you're acting on the input. Listening without action breeds further toxicity.

Developing a positive shop culture takes ongoing effort and self-reflection.

But it's some of the most important work you can do as an owner.

Because the shops with the best cultures will ultimately win the race for the best talent.

For more insights, read iHire's full 2025 Toxic Workplace Trends Report. Toxic Workplace Trends Report 2025

And let me know in the comments how you're working to build a thriving culture in your auto shop.

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