Corporate is a Mess... Left feeling dehumanized - Merchandise Manager Petco Employee Review

1.0
Jan 24, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Likely you will work will great people at your level who love animals and want to do well. PTO is generous. Pets at work of course!

Cons

For a company full of animals they have the hardest time keeping employees happy. I joined Petco a few years ago and did not heed the Glassdoor warnings like I should have. I was promised a shiny salary with new direction and spent my time overworked, barely growing, and watching a company I had always dreamed of working for fall apart under horrible management. Spring - You will work on a team that does not have enough people and you will be asked to take on more responsibility as the coworkers you have are let go. Summer - Promises will be made for for a stronger brand direction and alignment on priorities and direction Fall - New teams (headcount) will be formed to take on the big new ideas as the new management tries to implement some crazy new time or idea to make up for the ridiculous budget expectations Winter- You will work really hard through the holiday and finally feel things are getting better... and then comes budget misses in January followed the annual "Hunger Games" where at least 100+ of your coworkers will be let go just in time for responsibilities to be redistributed and priorities to shifted again... The day I was let go along with 140 other employees I was sent a last minute mandatory invite and our team huddled together as more and more individuals were calendared and we all knew what was coming, dreading who would be let go and who would suddenly gain tons more work. In the 15 mins I had scheduled they let me know they were downsizing and my job was eliminated, then I was left with an HR employee for the basics of what to expect, and then they let me know I was to quickly grab my things from my desk and leave immediately. This didn't surprise me however when I went to grab my things I was rushed out because they had another meeting. I couldn't even get the respect of 2 minutes to grab my belongings before being told I would have to leave and come back another day to get my things. Absolutely no respect for what had just happened further showing we were just another number to the company and a meeting to get through. Left feeling completely dehumanized and if it were not for the great friends I had made while I was there it would've been even worse. So happy this has happened and I have an opportunity to build a career elsewhere!

Explore other reviews about Petco

5.0
May 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good environment and great people

Cons

There is no cons here

1.0
Jul 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Wonderful people under the Sr. Director level - Dogs in the office - Brand name carries weight on your resume

Cons

- Sr. Directors and above are largely nepotism hires rather than merit-based promotions - Leadership team is toxic and disrespectful, and that tone trickles down to other senior leaders - Gender favoritism shows up repeatedly, with women being asked to pick up the work of men without additional pay. Or men being promoted over women due to favoritism and not merit. - Nearly every employee I worked with was disengaged and functioning out of fear of layoffs rather than job satisfaction (layoffs happen multiple times a year) - The company's declining position also makes it harder to land your next role, since a recent Petco title now reads as coming from a struggling brand

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All