Too bad there are a lot of lost souls with bad intentions. - Operations Manager Grainger Employee Review

1.0
Jan 16, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The hours are pretty good. You don't work weekends, and have all of your statuary holidays off. You get three weeks vacations the first year, but remember that at any time should you leave or move on, you owe AGI back for the time taken in the present year (meaning, if you take 3 weeks off the first year you work, and you leave at the before the year is over, you are clawed back for your paid vacations. So it is misleading when AGI says, three weeks paid vacation when you start... that is simply not the case). You get benefits (caveat). Most people are okay to work with, as long as they are not direct reports.

Cons

HR is lost, they do not know or have the desire to do what any solid company should have, a solid HR. They are great at passing the buck, and sitting idle. Too many individuals working at HR forget the importance of people, and the importance of doing their role. Taking ownership... something HR does not do. Most companies handle the hiring, all in house. Not AGI, they choose to use a third party company who are simply hired to fill bodies. What about taking charge, I mean, isn't that your job? Some individuals are laid back, and like to cruise and pass the buck when it comes time to work. Sense of urgency is non existant, and those individuals are low performers. Too many employees are still feeling the sting directly or indirectly after the massive closures and restructuring. They live in the past, and fail to move forward. Too much wallowing in self pity and yet your coworkers are demotivating and disillusioned with reality that they continue to be heard for there griping and nobody holds them accountable by cleaning house. You got to spend money on your work staff in order to make the changes required to move forward. Until you do so, you will continue to drift along until you crash and burn. Eventually the good managers and people you come across move on, simply because they are ousted or choose to no longer fight the bureaucracy and resistance from within the organization. Senior American Leaders are clueless, self righteous, all knowing, closed minded, and simply cannot hear or listen. They talk the talk, but have no clue how to walk the walk. Lynching someone or finding someone to sacrifice is a defeatist way of learning and moving forward. They just don't get it. The rah! rah! rah! is a culture thing, and in Canada that simply is laughed at by your people. Slowly the company erosion persists, and good people find themselves being appreciated at the competition. Nice way of having your employees better themselves. Learn at AGI, and then move on to benefit your competition. The benefits package is there for window dressing, but it is pale with the standard in the industry in terms of what is covered and the amount. Most items from within the catalog is overpriced. So much so, that most items are above msrp, no wonder your customers choose to purchase from many other distributors. This doesn't have to be that way, but the red tape and dinosaur mentality makes this the norm.

Explore other reviews about Grainger

5.0
Jul 7, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company to move up/around in. They have a ton of support although some of that support better than others. Definitely recommend joining the Grainger Team. Great for new and tenured sales people.

Cons

As you move up in the company it is political on if you get the role.

4.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits are decent and reasonably priced. They offer a 401k match, BCBS insurance, FSA, HSA, dental, vision, life insurance, and accidental D&D coverage. They also do a 3‑to‑1 match for donations to non‑religious 501(c) organizations. There’s a big emphasis on volunteering, with plenty of opportunities to get involved. The building itself is beautiful, with a free on‑site gym, a coffee shop, real trees in the atrium, a waterfall, and a large cafeteria (though the food can vary). They’re also flexible about which days you come on‑site, depending on the team’s schedule. If I needed to switch a Monday for a Thursday, it was never an issue. My manager was also supportive of remote work on days when the weather made commuting difficult.

Cons

Admins do not get an annual bonus. They're really strict on Overtime, really weird about worrying about mini costs. Like they'll spend 50k on a week-long training but freak out if people want to rent a car while being in town. Can't buy lunch for this 3 hour meeting to cut costs, but we'll drop 10k on this other thing. It's also so unfair that some people get to work remotely and others are forced to come in 3 times a week, for the exact same roles. Every meeting is basically online, so it's just silly and a power trip.

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