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Ocean State Job Lot

Engaged Employer

Worst experience of my life, hands-down - Sales Associate Ocean State Job Lot Employee Review

1.0
May 6, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

They have a good recycling policy.

Cons

This was the most horrible experience of my life. They gave me employee of the month, then three weeks later fired me with no reasoning. The only thing they had was that I was late/absent too frequently nearly a year before because my only transportation was via a very unreliable taxi service. In the 8 or so months since I had acquired reliable transportation I wasn't late once and only had a single absence, and lateness/absences from the prior year were allegedly "forgiven" according to their policy. They couldn't tell me who had actually made the decision; one manager told me it was them and one said that it was corporate. Then they said it was a "mathematical equation", which was a blatant LIE because there were others who had many more absences than myself. I worked there for nearly two years and was never spoken to once about poor job performance, only commended. I did my best, was well-liked by other employees and was a hard-worker. Unfortunately, I live in a state which does not protect employees against unjust firing, so I could do nothing about it. They are also very sexist. If you are a woman and ask to work on the floor or on freight, forget about it, you'll be on register most of the time unless you like folding clothes. A manager literally told me that she'd "prefer a man to be out on the floor". I wasn't hired a strictly "cashier", I was a "sales associate", the same as the males who they had on the floor most of the time. I can only name 1 or 2 out of the 15+/- people that I know who have quit / been fired that have had a positive experience there. I can't say that this is the case for all OSJL stores.

Explore other reviews about Ocean State Job Lot

5.0
Apr 17, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good hours and nice coworkers

Cons

an assortment of managers who dont communicate well

3.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The culture is amazing and the hourly associates make it worth your while.

Cons

Compensation for area managers is not good. You can hit hit all your goals and improve your department and still get a meets expectation on your annual review.

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