Not what its cracked up to be... - Crew Trader Joe's Employee Review

2.0
5 Mar 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The majority of the crew members (entry level) are really good people to work with. If you are employed permanently (not 'temporarily' or 'seasonally'), apparently the benefits are good. the discount is minor (10%). the products are great. the dress code is nice and casual. most of the customers are great too. they do put in effort to move you around a fair amount so you don't get bored (because generally speaking, a crew member works like a slave but the work isn't very mentally satisfying.)

Cons

As the company continues to grow, it becomes more corporate and less humane. i was very disappointed in the lack of communication and poor abilities of observation of many in upper mgt. There is a store mgr (captain), ass't mgrs (mates), and ass't mgrs with slightly less responsibility (merchants), then a big downward jump in responsibility to crew (entry level--cashier, stocker). Essentially, some people have stayed merchants (and have not wanted to become mates), because of the store mgrs failings and companies new direction. The step upward from crew member to either merchant or mate is now huge, because the company wiped out the supervisory positions which used to be extremely helpful to slowly and steadily go up the ladder. Now it will take years, and endless politics to advance. I found the merchants (lower ass't mgrs) to be much more confident, friendly, and open minded than mates (higher level ass't mgrs) or the store mgr (captain). This is not a good thing. Also, they want to you ask for feedback and when you do, all managers say 'speak to the store mgr', and that is infuriating. then, on top of that, the store mgr is very difficult to get to spend time with, let alone a direct answer from. Despite the diversity of people that work there, it is a place you have to fit into or they kick you out, and sometimes there is a lack of honesty and ethics in the way they communicate (getting support of honest feedback), or operate (lack of safety gear).

Explore other reviews about Trader Joe's

5.0
8 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great place to work all around

Cons

Nothing really bad to say

4.0
27 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

-Great way to meet people, socialize, and learn customer service -Always tasked with different things every hour -Friendly crew who will always help you to learn and get better at your job -Get a slight pay raise every 6 months -No outside commitments and amazing benefits if you work full time (about 28 hours a week for every 6 months) -Will take time, but find your friend group, stay with them and have fun, you can't please everybody -Care for your body, do not overdo it with physical labor, its a retail job and you only have one fragile body for yourself, get help or insist about your pains

Cons

-Not many, unless you are stuck in a bad store with bad management -I had some good luck of working in 3 great stores, so YMMV -Sometimes can get cliquey like you are back in high school -Getting promoted up to store management may involve buttering up and being a "yes-person" -Care for your body, do not overdo it with physical labor, its a retail job and you only have one fragile body for yourself, get help or insist about your pains

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