Pros
OSJL is one of, if not THE most generous Companies around when it comes to not just their employees, but all of the communities in which there are OSJL Stores, via the local Food Banks. They’ve grandfathered in all the full time personnel from before Obama care to FULLY paid medical insurance. They offer FREE smoking cessation classes and associated supplies/meds, making the Home Office a smoke free campus by October 1, 2016, they’re looking into Weight Watchers on sight. We have a 20% discount EVERY day, several 30% off nights throughout the year and last month they gave us a 40% off night, they give us profit sharing, we get a 15% discount on food items in the three restaurants they own, 20% discount on new & used autos at the two dealerships they own. This is extremely generous as they operate on a VERY slim margin, they make their money on volume, not mark-up. I don’t think most employees realize this. They also give us Free Lunch Friday, EVERY Friday at & for the Corporate Office, Distribution Center and any store personnel that may be here for various reasons that day. They’ve hired a full time catering staff to make lunch DAILY in the cafeteria for a nominal fee, they have a Company picnic each year (weather permitting), we have discount movie tickets, discount theme park tickets, Tuition Reimbursement for courses pertinent to our job/position, in house or local location classes for help on software we use daily, Learn at Lunch program to keep all departments apprised of each other and what we do. There a ton of new faces here. Starting with our new CHRO, here a year now, who has begun a new campaign to make Ocean State Job Lot an Employer of Choice. He has gone right to the top, Marc Perlman, Alan Perlman, John Conforti, Richard Portno & Steve Aronow to convince them his campaign will make OSJL THE place to come to work. Changing the way people think and treat each other, eliminating the negativity that has been so prevalent. He just has a way of just Making It Happen.
Cons
The only one con I would think one could complain about is that the annual pay raises are minimal, however, you have to realize the margin they are working with. And remember, it IS a RAISE. Marc has ALWAYS said, “My job is to make sure each employee sees a raise every year.” Oh, and the Negativity such as a previous post:
“CHRO - Enough with your shameless self-promotion. The hourly employees do not benefit in the same way as you and other salaried employees. If we do not work 40 hours a week, we ultimately are paying for the so-called free benefit. The owners need to stop forcing their projects (restaurants and dealerships) down our throats. The owners are philanthropic, we get it, but must we be told about it all the time? Lastly....… your wellness program is a farce....as is the recognition you are currently touting.”
If you’re not happy, you know where the door is. Find your happy place! Why bring down the rest of the people that want to actually get their job done in a relatively pleasant atmosphere. If it weren’t for the real estate, restaurants and dealerships, you just might not have a job!
