Pros
I was regularly paid on time every two weeks.
Cons
This company likes to pretend they are undergoing an amazing transformation, "future proofing" is the buzzphrase for 2021. Overall it's extremely top heavy, C-level execs desperately trying to justify their existence and a plethora of middle manager positions created in the last couple years yet still no upward momentum due to staffing nearly all positions externally. The pay is mediocre even by retail standards, a good annual increase is 3%, up to 4.5% if you annihilate all your 647 targets for the year. Starting wages for sales floor staff are so bad Petco has slipped behind every single major retailer including the blue guys known for their poverty wages. It has absolutely hamstrung stores' ability to hire and retain staff, a dangerous position during a historic staffing crisis retail wide. If you enjoy working open to close 6-7 days a week because you're salaried, this might be th place for you. The company brags heartily about their care for partners during COVID-19, EAP and mental health/family resources like leaves of absence. When it comes time to actually apply that in practice you will be immediately denied for "business reasons". It shouldn't surprise me but after two decades I was hopeful. The paid time off program changed for the worse last year, going from a lump sum awarded annually to accumulations based on hours worked. They, like most retailers, black out huge chunks of the calendar year for various reasons so you spend 6+ months to earn a week off, then can't take it, then lose it all when your anniversary date rolls around. Rinse and repeat. Overall though, the most egregious and offensive behavior they engage in is confusing customer service with sales and punishing their staff when they were hired to provide customer service but aren't great salespeople. They want low value subscription programs and credit cards pushed by people who were hired for their knowledge of aquatic life or dog grooming and will accept nothing less than perfectly achieving ridiculous and arbitrary sales goals weekly or they will Performance. Manage. You. Out. It's just not a good employer at the moment. The pay is bad, the stress is high, the work life balance is non existent and the benefits are expensive for what you get. For the pressures you could go to almost any other retailer and get paid 20% more and not have a live animal component. If you put in a ton of time and need support suddenly you will be left bitterly disappointed, your loyalty will not be acknowledged.
