TJ culture is quickly dying - Captain Trader Joe's Employee Review

1.0
Oct 3, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Income, but bonuses for captains and mates have been spiralling downward for 5 straight years. Sales and profits have increased dramatically during this period.

Cons

New structure, upstream evaluations, Dan Bane and his entourage of yes men and women and regionals, the death of integrity, the only captains in the industry who mow have to punch a time clock. Record sales and profits year after year and yet 1000's of crewmember losing their health insurance. The longer your tenure at Trader Joe's, the greater chance they will find a reason to terminate your employment. Fun is not in the vocabulary of the vast majority of crewmembers

Explore other reviews about Trader Joe's

5.0
Jun 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Excellent work environment and team.

Cons

Might not be a con for some but the job requires you to spend a lot of time on your feet moving objects so not recommended if you have any injuries or ailments.

4.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Great way to meet people, socialize, and learn customer service -Always tasked with different things every hour -Friendly crew who will always help you to learn and get better at your job -Get a slight pay raise every 6 months -No outside commitments and amazing benefits if you work full time (about 28 hours a week for every 6 months) -Will take time, but find your friend group, stay with them and have fun, you can't please everybody -Care for your body, do not overdo it with physical labor, its a retail job and you only have one fragile body for yourself, get help or insist about your pains

Cons

-Not many, unless you are stuck in a bad store with bad management -I had some good luck of working in 3 great stores, so YMMV -Sometimes can get cliquey like you are back in high school -Getting promoted up to store management may involve buttering up and being a "yes-person" -Care for your body, do not overdo it with physical labor, its a retail job and you only have one fragile body for yourself, get help or insist about your pains

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