Does Ocean State Job Lot pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Ocean State Job Lot employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.9 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Ocean State Job Lot. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Ocean State Job Lot?

38% of Ocean State Job Lot employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Ocean State Job Lot 2.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.0 for culture and values and 2.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Ocean State Job Lot?

Sales Associate (90) , Front End Supervisor (65) , Department Head (30) , Store Team Leader (29) , Sales Associate/Cashier (27) , Store Manager (26) , Area Supervisor (23) , Cashier (22) , Area Team Leader (18) , Assistant Manager (18) , Field Merchandiser (17) , Operations Supervisor (15) , Retail Sales Associate (12) , Manager (9) , Stock Associate (9)

What are the pros of working at Ocean State Job Lot according to real employee reviews?

"great benefits and always new jobs being offered to existing associates" ((in 61 reviews)); "Coworkers are great and you get 30% off the store" ((in 46 reviews)); "Flexible hours and pretty easy job." ((in 39 reviews)); "We are rapidly expanding and the opportunities are endless with this terrific organization." ((in 14 reviews)); "Work life balance was good" ((in 12 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Ocean State Job Lot according to real employee reviews?

"Management is poor." ((in 58 reviews)); "conflicting instructions from different managers." ((in 33 reviews)); "Bloated upper management that seems to exists solely to usurp direction from other upper management" ((in 16 reviews)); "They give very small raises." ((in 16 reviews)); "No training short staffed more f3" ((in 11 reviews))

What are employees saying about Ocean State Job Lot layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Ocean State Job Lot layoffs and their outlook for job security at Ocean State Job Lot in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Ocean State Job Lot locations?

North Kingstown , Boston , Providence , Warwick , Salem , South Plainfield , Ballston Spa , Clifton Park , New York , Manchester , Berlin , Valatie , Centereach , Poughkeepsie , Concord , Bristol , Cranston , Woonsocket , Medway , Wareham , Weymouth , Southwick , East Northport , North Babylon , Bennington , Rochester , Hooksett , Milford , Bloomfield , Hartford

Ocean State Job Lot reviews

2.9

38% would recommend to a friend

(932 total reviews)

Marc Perlman

34% approve of CEO

35% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.4

Diversity & inclusion

3.0

Culture & values

2.9

Work/Life balance

2.9

Compensation and benefits

2.5

Senior management

2.5

Career opportunities

Ocean State Job Lot has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 932 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Ocean State Job Lot employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.4 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

932 reviews

1.0

Apr 24, 2024

Shop here…don’t work here

Assistant store manager

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good discount for employees, employee shopping days usually quarterly

Cons

Field leadership expects stores to be run/look like a major retailer where you are paid a competitive wage and have a realistic budget to schedule from…of which neither are reality. Can’t attract talent when you can work at McDonalds for a higher wage thus associates are a revolving door. Zero flexibility for “free thought” as store management. Glassdoor surveys being done methodically by corporate HR to manipulate the reality of what it’s like at store level.

Ocean State Job Lot Response

1y

Thank you for your feedback. Leaders like yourself have the ability to provide competitive wages to your associates and the ranges are wide and are very competitive. I would encourage you to meet with your District team leader or HR Business Partner to discuss some of your concerns and so they can provide you some retraining as it appears you may be unaware of how our compensation program works. Thanks again for your feedback and we hope you do seek additional support and training from your DTL and HRBP.

1.0

Jun 5, 2023

Corporate Issues

Sales associate/cashier

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

30 % discount otherwise nothing else at this time.

Cons

The corporation making last minute decisions to change store hours without proper notification to the employees of their hours or shift change. If you tell management that you are unable to work the shift change because of their last minute decision and need to leave at the original time scheduled, you are told to change your plans and you have no choice to work the change. Scheduling employees when they have put in for a day off on the day that was requested off. Constantly being harassed by management about getting insiders and donations. Customers are not happy with being asked for donations. This all leads to a very hostile work environment. Merchandise is low in any many areas of the store. Too many customers are leaving without making any type of purchase. They should focus on the stores instead of real estate.

Ocean State Job Lot Response

3y

Thank you for your feedback. We are a people first company that cares about its team members and provides associate wellness as a critical company value. It would be important for us to learn about the location you work so we can address your specific concern. Your experience does not align with our typical associate experience. We believe in an open door philosophy and invite you to reach out to our HR Business Partner Ed Kruger at e.kruger@osjl.com so we can understand your specific concern.

3.0

Jan 27, 2023

Horrible company to work for

Department head

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The benefits the hourly associates you meet who become family

Cons

Management is horrible no opportunity for growth unless your a favorite they use you all yr then cut your hours mangment is bullies store had many problems and they just do simple fixes on the buildings just overall a not so good company to work for

Ocean State Job Lot Response

3y

Thank you for your feedback on your experience with us and your over 20 years of experience working with us. We truly appreciate your service. Like many businesses, we have seasonality with respect to sales and customer traffic. It sounds like you may be experiencing concerns with your hours. It would be helpful for us to understand your store so we can better understand what is causing your current dissatisfaction. Please reach out to e.kruger@osjl.com so we can arrange a time to discuss your concern further.

Viewing 70 - 72 of 932 Reviews

Jobs at Ocean State Job Lot

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Temporary Seasonal Retail Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needed starting at 8/9am, must be available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays!

Temporary Seasonal Retail Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needed (8am-3pm) and/or (2pm-9pm) must be available on Saturday and Sundays!