for the times, they are a-changing - Crew Member Trader Joe's Employee Review

2.0
Sep 3, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-excellent experience attained from interacting with people. you will learn how to placate people. -knowledge can be gained about food and wine -discount on food, 10%. -co workers can be wide and diverse with hobbies and opinions -minimal retirement package that if your young is a good nest egg, but better start with annuity payments for growth -customers can be entertaining -biannual reviews, maximum wage increase is $1.20 per year -if you enjoy physical labor this is your job -good work for college students -if you like playing with food turn in the application

Cons

Lately the company has headed in a new direction -As the company continues to expand the little man is being forgotten and treated like a cog in a machine. -generous retirement package was 15.4% annual wage, now its 5% with a 5% direct payment -management pits part timers against each other and encourages excess drama. -managers can be passive aggressive, i.e. bestowing unwanted nicknames and belittling part timers psyches -if you enjoyed high school, be prepared to relive the experience -when the store manager is present, everyone works, when the cats away the nice play, i.e. flour fights and general neglect of company values -TJ's is a fun place to shop at but not work unless you can fit a niche, meaning if your not in the in crowd expect disrespect and puzzlement at your beliefs, values, and norms -favoritism is rampant with managers -If you want to put your head down an work this might not be the best workplace -introverted people will have trouble working here -company culture ends at corporate, at the store level, the store manager is god This is a great...introductory.....job that does not require any formal training or a degree. If your a student or unemployed this job is great, after figuring out the requirements and procedures of the company the days can be bland. After five years of work I'm ready to move on with my anniversary shirt that managers wear, Oh wait!, they discontinued that.

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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