Paid Time Off is sorely lacking. - Crew Member Trader Joe's Employee Review

4.0
Jun 25, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

—Excellent 401-k plan. (10% contributed whether you contribute or not) —Above average health care with low deductables and low biweekly payments ( approx $120 biweekly for family with ok dental and vision included) —Health club/gym included for no charge —Possibility of two small raises a year depending on store managers employee review (currently .65/hr or $1.30/yr.) —Overall great atmosphere and camradarie including with customers —Good options for advancement and transfers —Stable and growth oriented

Cons

—Incredibly sub-standard PTO (Paid Time Off) which is termed “Accrued Reserves” @ Trader Joes. It is meager: only @ 8.75 days off for a full-time crew member! (3.6%of your earnings) And that is for vacation, sick time, and holiday you may want off and—seriously— for bereavement too. This is LESS THAN HALF of what other quality retailers provide. The average of five different retailers that are in same category (specialty grocer) and/or are based in Texas is 19-21 DAYS PER YEAR! Also, NONE of these five retailers expect employee to use PTO for bereavement! Crew @ Trader Joes work extremely hard and deserve at least as much vacation, sick and holiday pay. PTO increase to a still sub-standard 12ish days after three years. Only assistant and store managers receive approx 21 days/year.

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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