The hardest job I ever had. - F/T Crew Member Trader Joe's Employee Review

2.0
Feb 27, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Most employees super nice and always willing to help answer customer questions. Always food in the break room for all to eat. High quality products at fair prices. Was so excited to work there initially. Open to hiring anyone. The pay seemed good until one realized how hard the work was.

Cons

Every hour you work you are doing something different and you must be working full blast. The managers plan out where every employee will be every hour of the day. Very disconcerting. Had to always watch the time then start doing a completely different task. Had to write down every shift and every hour to be where they wanted us to be. Some of the workers were just miserable people. Some dept. managers extreme in how they wanted produce displayed but would comment after all the work was done that it was wrong. Work hours all over the place either in at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. and tons of work done after the store closes. I have always worked very hard putting out stock on delivery day but this company receives truck daily. Very hard labor every day. Some managers very fussy. No drug tests often wondered if coworkers were stoned. No place for employees to park was told might have to use parking garage not even visible from the store. Only certain employees allowed to talk during the shift - that is what it felt like.

Explore other reviews about Trader Joe's

5.0
Jul 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Marketing degree and customer's support for over 30 yrs

Cons

Enjoy customer services that i spend time with customer

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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