Trader Joe's reviews

Individual store Captains have total control of the way the store is run. This can be a problem if your style doesn't mesh with theirs. The company does have an open door policy so if you have issues with your local management you can take your concerns up the ladder until you are satisfied.

The once great benefit opportunity is now nearly impossible, the pay (even if you have a college degree or loads of beneficial and/or prominent work experience), you still begin at a minimum wage rate. The physical demand is at times insane, especially at the busier locations. Just one crate of lettuce alone is like at least 30lbs, try lifting like 50+ of those a day plus register for a few hours, maybe carts, or the truck load, or pulling all the pallets into the warehouse. There are so many other loads that are just as heavy and plenty that are even heavier and move quicker. A coffee pot alone is like 60lbs. Lift that several times a day. The hours are so all over the place that it makes working at the other job(s), that are necessary just to survive here unless you have a partner who makes descent money or live with parents, very difficult and near impossible. Even the raises have been lowered twice within the last year. It sucks because I had such a different impression of trader joes before working here. If your not a back stabbing brown noser it would be really difficult to excel with this company. And even still there's no guarantee.