Not as great as everyone thinks.. - Merchant Trader Joe's Employee Review

1.0
Dec 16, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Store Tastings, Interactions with Customers, Varied tasks, Work Life Balance.

Cons

This company continually cuts benefits to crew and especially managers. I was hired in as a manager 5 years ago. They advertised a very clear management structure and a path to advancement. Then shortly after I was hired, wiped it away. The managers are now eligible for smaller raises than the crew are. They restructure every year or to and it keeps getting worse. This last restructure involved the mid level managers losing their overtime. We all have families and mortgages and this was a huge pay cut. Losing our OT also affects out year end 401k contribution as it is based on hours worked. and speaking of, the company slashed the 401k contribution a few years ago. They also used Obamacare as an excuse to cut insurance for many crew. I have seen crew members have to go without health care because the store didn't schedule them enough hours to qualify.

Explore other reviews about Trader Joe's

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work all around

Cons

Nothing really bad to say

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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