The Pay is a Trap - Sales McMaster-Carr Employee Review

1.0
Jul 19, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good pay, bonus and retirement. All other benefits have been on the decline in recent years

Cons

Promotions are based on popularity not skill. Management does not make real development goals for contributors. It’s all fluff and opinions, but your bonuses depend on them. Management is more concerned about themselves than coaching. The technology is so outdated but they would rather have people be human calculators than actually invest in improving the company. PTO is incredibly restrictive. They believe they can treat employees like trash because they pay them so well. Everyone is on antidepressants just to get through the day. You gain minimal to no transferable skills. They are 20 years behind every other large company out there. Toxic, manipulative, emotionally abusive.

Explore other reviews about McMaster-Carr

4.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Pay/benefits are incredibly generous - People are generally easy/nice to work with - Note that the Systems department seems to be fairly isolated from the negative issues discussed in other reviews (e.g. tension between warehouse workers and management) - I haven't experienced any of those issues within the systems department. In my opinion, Systems is a great place to work and develop as an engineer. - Hybrid work style (3 days in office). Personally, I like hybrid more than both fully in-office and fully remote styles. - Great cafeteria with good food and cheap prices. - Good work/life balance (outside of being on call, I can leave work at work).

Cons

- Work is not super interesting to me. I come from a highly technical, but very different (not ecommerce/industrial supplies), background where I was doing work I was much more interested in. No doubt there are folks in Systems who love the domain though. - While I'm not on call a ton (1-2 weeks every few months), I really hate being on call. I like to leave work at work. Note that joining at least one reliability team is expected within your first year or so.

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