Rego Park, NY - Crew Member Trader Joe's Employee Review

1.0
Oct 9, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Health Benefits -food tastings -break up work with hourly log -hiring process is fast

Cons

-Schedule is bad, you'll be working most of the time early am (like 4am) or night (until midnight or later). If you have friends and family look elsewhere -You have to move to a different store temporarily when promoted to manager -It's retail and repetitive even if work is broken down -Managers have to work 10 hours -Customers are unusually needy at this store, they think Trader Joes is there to caress their ego -No union, that explains a good amount of the above, for example mates working 10 hours. Labor movements fought for 8 so it looks like we are going backwards. -No consistency with managers, you'd think your working in two different stores -Micromanaging, usually done by the subpar managers or the people that don't do anything and think that's something -One of the few places (or only) that makes you raise a paddle to call a customer to your register. On top of that you'll have some managers tell you to have your paddles up every 2-3 seconds (usually the ones who micro manage). -Pay is terrible, what else can you expect from a private retail company owned by a capitalist -I know at least 2 people who make more than me who came after me (and around same age and education level) but because of the wage increase they can in very close or more to what I make.

Explore other reviews about Trader Joe's

5.0
Jul 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This company really does care about its employees. There's a reason why people make a career out of their time here. It is the most fun job I've ever had. They hire amazing, hardworking people with great personalities. Management is always willing to help. Theres fun tastings of new products all the time. Customers are generally always in a good mood. The job is physically demanding, but I am in the best shape of my life lol. They schedule you to change what you're doing every hour, so the 8-hour day goes by fast.

Cons

They can definitely play favorites. The same people get the shifts that they want, and when you first start, you can get stuck closing for quite some time.

4.0
May 27, 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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