Does Ocean State Job Lot pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Ocean State Job Lot employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.9 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Ocean State Job Lot. This rating has decreased by 5% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Ocean State Job Lot?

38% of Ocean State Job Lot employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Ocean State Job Lot 2.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.1 for culture and values and 2.4 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Ocean State Job Lot?

Sales Associate (90) , Front End Supervisor (65) , Department Head (30) , Store Team Leader (29) , Sales Associate/Cashier (27) , Store Manager (26) , Area Supervisor (23) , Cashier (22) , Area Team Leader (18) , Assistant Manager (18) , Field Merchandiser (17) , Operations Supervisor (15) , Retail Sales Associate (12) , Manager (9) , Stock Associate (9)

What are the pros of working at Ocean State Job Lot according to real employee reviews?

"great benefits and always new jobs being offered to existing associates" ((in 57 reviews)); "Coworkers are great and you get 30% off the store" ((in 43 reviews)); "Flexible hours and pretty easy job." ((in 37 reviews)); "Work life balance was good" ((in 12 reviews)); "Ocean State Job Lot provides employees with a friendly work environment and a leadership team to guide them to success." ((in 12 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Ocean State Job Lot according to real employee reviews?

"Management is poor." ((in 57 reviews)); "conflicting instructions from different managers." ((in 32 reviews)); "Bloated upper management that seems to exists solely to usurp direction from other upper management" ((in 16 reviews)); "They give very small raises." ((in 16 reviews)); "Short breaks, stressful as short handed." ((in 11 reviews))

What are employees saying about Ocean State Job Lot layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Ocean State Job Lot layoffs and their outlook for job security at Ocean State Job Lot in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Ocean State Job Lot locations?

North Kingstown , Boston , Providence , Warwick , Salem , South Plainfield , Ballston Spa , Clifton Park , New York , Manchester , Berlin , Valatie , Centereach , Poughkeepsie , Concord , Bristol , Cranston , Woonsocket , Medway , Wareham , Weymouth , Southwick , East Northport , North Babylon , Bennington , Rochester , Hooksett , Milford , Bloomfield , Hartford

Ocean State Job Lot reviews

2.9

38% would recommend to a friend

(933 total reviews)

Marc Perlman

35% approve of CEO

36% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (933 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Ocean State Job Lot has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 933 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Ocean State Job Lot employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.4 stars).

Reviews by job title

933 reviews

2.0

Nov 27, 2016

Better managers needed

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Employee discount at 20 % is great. It's a job just about anyone can do, no special training required. Though workload can become overwhelming if you are good.

Cons

No communication to hourly associates from management or the home office. No accountability at store level. No one cares. You try to do a good job, ask questions, interact with the customers and your considered an issue. You are afraid to ask questions or make suggestions because you will be yelled at (YES YELLED AT) in front of other associates and customers. I call that bullying. You are going to lose the most valuable employees you have and then what will the company do? You haven't been able to hire/ keep good help for years now.

Ocean State Job Lot Response

9y

Thank you for reaching out. We would like you to reach out an ERM if you feel your Store Manager, DM, and RM are not listening. Their number is located in the breakroom. Or call 401- 295-2672 and ask for HR.

4.0

Nov 25, 2016

Clothing dept head

Clothing department head

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I had worked for ocean state for 18 years. Was the best experience ever. I worked with an amazing group of people who i will miss very much. I worked awesome hours and learned some much

Cons

The down side is that there is no ocean state in naples, fl so I could not transfer...😞

Ocean State Job Lot Response

9y

Best of luck...Thank you for the service!

3.0

Nov 17, 2016

Inconsistent

Store management

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working with great people at the store level. Variety of work: rarely a dull day. Freedom to exercise some merchandising judgement (although on the decline) Generous employee discount Store management cares about associates: offers training, feedback (including positive), flexible about scheduling when possible

Cons

Inconsistent communication and direction from corporate, regional and district management results in significant time wasted. Associates get to review/assess store management, but store management does not get to review their supervisors, DM, RM, etc. This would be an eye-opener to top management. DMs have favorite stores and SMs. On multiple occasions a DM has held up a store as a shining example but when I visited that store, it wasn't so. "Open Door" and "non-retaliation" policies are farcical. I know of associates who have been reprimanded for "not following the chain of command." Minimal appreciation for the contribution of store management from above. Field management does not follow through on promises. Obscure and outdated systems for rating and ranking the stores. Store are judged on criteria over which store management has no control.

Ocean State Job Lot Response

9y

Thank you for the feedback. We are in the process of working on a company wide survey. We will also forward your thoughts on metrics to the operations team.

Viewing 772 - 774 of 933 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Costco Wholesale

4.2★Compensation & Benefits

Jet

3.7★Compensation & Benefits

Target Australia

3.8★Compensation & Benefits

John Lewis & Partners

3.6★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at Ocean State Job Lot

Temporary Seasonal Retail Store Associate - various part-time shifts, and must have weekend availability!

Retail Store Specialist - (Customer Service/Merchandising) - Part Time

Retail Store Area Team Leader

Temporary Seasonal Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needed starting at 3pm to close and must be available on weekends!

Retail Store Area Team Leader