McMaster-Carr reviews

2.8

29% would recommend to a friend

(1,363 total reviews)

Jay Delaney

30% approve of CEO

45% positive business outlook

McMaster-Carr has an employee rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars, based on 1,363 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The McMaster-Carr employee rating is 24% below average for employers within the Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

1K reviews
5.0
Nov 11, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

McMaster Carr is excessively fair. No one plays around on Facebook or does anything else beside work during scheduled hours, and some people consider that culture restrictive. However, in return for putting in 8 solid hours of work per day, you get 1) unheard-of retirement benefits and excellent healthcare 2) the guarantee that your job will never make you work long hours (if you do, you're very well compensated for it--not like other companies that expect salaried employees to just suck it up) 3) a fast promotion track for management. I won't lie, people tend to love it or hate it, but if you're smart, quick to catch on, someone who thrives in a sink-or-swim environment, and someone who is excited by business problems you can sink your teeth into, McMaster Carr is one of the best companies out there to work for. It is an exceptionally ethical and well balanced work environment. I almost didn't take my job offer with them due to the negative reviews here, but my experience could not be more at odds with the experiences posted here. Take the chance--this company fast tracks you to financial security and business impact.

Cons

It is a sink-or-swim environment. Job security is earned, not guaranteed--we don't sign contracts. And that's really scary for some people (rightfully so.) Non-management employees are held to strict measurable standards and a certain number of errors equals no more job. For management, if they don't feel that you have potential to move up or if you are not having a measurable impact, you could be let go. However, this should never be a surprise. Do good work, be proactive, and you will be successful.

1.0
Jun 27, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Bonus + Benefits are great. You will meet fellow people who are equally under challenged and mentally exhausted from the abuse.

Cons

Micromanagement by untrained, socially inept fresh college grads with nothing but an IVY League diploma. No growth. You won't use much of your brain. DO NOT take a single day or moment off from work (even though they say you can) because then it will end up on your performance review one way or another. This is really the most bizarre, mentally exhausting place of employment. If you are young and ambitious, then do not work here. If you enjoy being spoken to like you are a special needs patient, then you will really feel great here.

4.0
Apr 8, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Well, mostly money. I had a college education and a career as a writer going for me when I began working at the company. I was pretty reluctant to accept a job packing boxes at a warehouse but the money and benefits made it hard to turn down, especially when I was unemployed at the time. I thought I'd stay until I found something else and stayed nearly 2 years. Most of the people I worked with and for were nice folks. A few I didn't care for, mostly in management, but no more so than most other jobs. Again.. the money. You won't find pay, benefits or retirement like this at any other company in the country, and certainly not while performing unskilled labor - although the job can also be demanding at times.

Cons

The work is horrifically boring and there isn't really anywhere to go if you desire to have a career beyond the warehouse. I suppose this would be directed mostly at the college educated people in the warehouse who think because of their degree or past career history that they are just killing time before a management position - you aren't. If you're hired as a grunt, you'll stay one. This would be more acceptable if you ever had any idea of what your future would be or where you were going. Secrecy and some sort of pretentious aura of mystery surround everything at the company. It was truly one of the most impressive companies I've worked for, but also one of the strangest. Reviews were just pointless and usually filled with lies about all the exciting opps that awaited you... six months later you'd get the same speech again, usually from your new supervisor (they don't last too long). That was my xp anyway, others seemed to receive nothing but negative feedback. Regardless, your standing at the company could change at a moments notice. Mess up one pack and you'd hear about for two weeks. Must be willing to be treated like a child. Yes, people get fired. Again, I'm not sure it's as bad as it appears while you're there. The standards are high and the majority of people, while usually fine workers anywhere else, probably weren't cutting it at McM. That being said, if they needed to drop staffing levels (in October, usually) they'll find away and I certainly think they let people go that I highly doubt deserved it... welcome to capitalism I guess. Others were even fired after 10 or 15 years... after seemingly giving their lives to the place and they were usually shocked when it happened. I will say, I waited months after leaving to write this and I'm glad I did. I would not turn down this job based on what you read here. There were people who were happy there and you can certainly find success at the company. Trust me, no matter how long your are there it will be worth the paycheck. I know if I had written this while still an employee it would probably be a lot more negative. Take into account how many of these reviews were written the night of a termination. The grass is always greener, folks. I left and took a job at a place where people never get fired. They just work until they are burned out for crappy money and work 60 hours a week. It was better for my resume, but certainly not a whole lot more rewarding and a terrible decrease in pay. It may still take some time to ever reach the yearly-income I obtained at McM. My advice: Get in, get some money, get out. If you don't have a degree, go get one, they pay for it...

Viewing 199 - 201 of 1,363 Reviews

Glassdoor has 1,401 McMaster-Carr reviews submitted anonymously by McMaster-Carr employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if McMaster-Carr is right for you.