I have been working for BJ's for 5 years at this point and would not recommend it to anybody unless they are in dire need of a job. The company's profits are stagnating and they are taking it out on their employees.
When I started the summer after high school, the work environment was completely different. Management was kind, respectful, and helpful. Every Sunday and holiday you would be paid time and a half. There was always food in the breakroom. They used to have company events such as a catered holiday party, kickball game, barbeque, etc. Nearly all the employees were happy to be working there and had nothing but good things to say about the company as a whole. It felt like they actually cared about you as an employee.
Today it is completely different. There is no longer time and a half on Sundays. There is only food in the breakroom on Friday mornings. They got rid of the holiday party to save money. They changed their employee review/raise policy from once every 3 months to one a year. We are constantly understaffed (at least in my department), so dealing with angry customers for hours on end and closing by yourself are a regular reality. The average turn around for new hires is about 3-6 months. They changed the amount of time required to take time off from 3 to 4 weeks. The store is falling apart, literally; the roof always leaks when it is raining and every week they have to throw out hundreds of dollars of product because a different refrigeration unit stoppe
ConsPoor management, lack of advancement potential
1.0
Replenishment Associate | Webster, NY | Mar 25, 2019
Boy---what a Shock !!
I worked as a Overnight Stock Clerk, & you have to enter the building from the rear. You have to ring a bell to enter if it is locked, otherwise you have to ring, anyway, because there is a Second locked gate just inside. If no one is around, you WAIT. And wait.... I've never seen anything so Ridiculous. Then, the punch clock is at the FRONT of the warehouse, & you have to hustle the length of a football field just to punch in on time---that's if no one has messed up your schedule---because the clock won't let you in if your supervisor didn't properly fill out the paperwork. So you wait. And wait... finally walking the whole warehouse looking for boss, so as to punch you in. Just the Unnecessary walking the first two months wore me out. And the same goes for Lunch---walk a football field to punch out---eat in your car, then 150 yards to punch back in. Time clock should be right at the Entry door. There is a plethora of training videos to suffer through, & if you get stuck on a screen, you have to hunt down a boss for help---but they could be anywhere ( training videos are mandatory every few months ). Overnight shift under staffed, much work to do because even though they are a Warehouse---pretend to be like a regular supermarket with displaying products. If there is a half pallet ( skid ) of 35 cans per case Coke, guess what---they want you to fill the rest to the Top...& you have 20 or so aisles to do each night. Ridiculous. It's a dirty & dusty warehouse club, & people und
ProsClose to home, exercise from heavy work keeps you fit
ConsScared/inept management, nasty cliques, too cheap buying essential equipment
Emotionally draining, can be VERY stressful (lengthy but worth the read)
I will begin with the positives that I took away from this job. I made a lot of new friends, made a lot of cool memories, I learned a lot about myself, and I acquired new skills and abilities. Another positive is that the scheduling can be flexible if you put in for it in a timely manner. The policy is that they need 3 weeks notice for requesting a day off, and 3 months for a scheduling change. Last-minute changes to your schedule are usually not an option, but if you can find a co-worker willing to help you out, then you'll be okay, but it is a difficult task. Lastly, there are times when there is free food in the break room for employees to have. But, you must be careful, always check the dates, and if it's fruit or perishable, 9 out of 10 times, leave it there. The break/lunch system is cool too. If you work more than 6 hours you get two 15 minute paid breaks and one 30 minute unpaid lunch. If you work 4-5.75 hours you get one 15 minute break.
If you choose to take the job of either cashier or a member services representative, your day will typically begin with you being berated on what the metric goals must be for that day (number of rewards memberships, credit cards, and membership renewals). If you're a cashier, you'll be given a tracking sheet to keep track of every single prompt you get for any of these things and be expected to ask every single member that comes through your line to sign up for the rewards membership and/or cobrand (credit card) even if your line
Great co-workers, terrible and I mean terrible GM in Vineland, NJ
Great co-workers and we all worked well together as a Whole without any hesitation. We had a good crew over all in the club until a new GM was transferred into the club in 2/2019. Previous GM he knew how to get the most out of his associates without talking down to them or treating them like garbage. He was forceful when needed to be but also knew how to get the most out of people each and everyday.
The GM’s are generally moved around every few years and in 2/2019 a new GM was moved into the Vineland NJ club. Immediately we were told everything we have all been doing was totally wrong and does not follow policies & procedures. So as she changed things, we adapted. But during this process the associates were all treated like we were dumb on a daily basis. Talked down to like we were dumb and stupid. She brags about her turnover ratio of 116% in her old club in Mays Landing NJ the previous year. She couldn’t work with people in that club and immediately the turnover ratio in Vineland NJ sky rocketed once she arrived. This wasted company monies by forcing good workers out due to personal feelings towards others and not professional reasons. I do understand when in a position like hers that sometimes difficult and unpleasant decisions have to be made. It’s business. There are other avenues too, how about working along side (and I don’t mean physically, but mentally and educationally) of people to get the tasks done. Bring people up to speed and don’t treat them like they are
Hourly Workforce with Poor Management = Depressing Work Culture
This company has everything going for it, good 401K, accrued paid time-off, decent hourly wage for work performed, annual raises, bonus pay for working Sundays and holidays, paid holidays (even for part-time employees), birthday bonus pay, lenient write-up policy, and decent hours for retail (9-am-9pm, except for Sundays; closed at 7pm). Break schedule was forgiving, two paid 15 minute breaks and one unpaid 30 minute lunch/dinner.
However, poor management has driven all the employees to insanity, and good employees like myself and others to leave. Reasoning including but not limited to:
-Schedules were never put out on time, wouldn't even know if I was working the upcoming Sunday on Friday night. ALWAYS understaffed, whether it was on the front-line, ESPECIALLY the deli, the cart-returners, basically every department. And call-outs, call-outs, call-outs! No respect for management from the employees, and truth be told, I can't blame them!
-Training is abominable, most new employees were "thrown to the wolves" ... I was put into the MSS position (which required breaking the membership desk employees) by myself without any knowledge of the computer system. At least I'm young and capable of learning computer programs, I can't imagine some of the older recruits who may not be as adept with computers. Which was the case for many of the cashiers hired.
-Many reasonable upset customers due to poor maintenance of the store and constant stocking issues - prod
In the beginning, it was like a regular job. I did a lot of overtime so got nice checks, compared to my previous job, compared to the one I currently hold was exploitation. There is very poor management culture. Anyone can be a manager, but they promote who they want, there is so much nepotism. Managers are only concerned about the Monday meeting, to order at the company's expense, and have a nice "family time." They do nothing, they do not care about you, they will use you as they please and need and do not even care. Unprofessionalism skyrockets. Among the very team of managers, there is so much petty and fights that is unhealthy. They only care about selling, the customers, and themselves. Customers can be pigs, extremely rude and disrespectful, the managers or supervisors do not care, they will witness the scene, from afar not to be involved, and try to calm down the angry customer (that only wants to make a scene to be awarded something) by giving them baby talk, which is infuriating because the employee wasn't the one mistaken in the first place. This type of practice makes it impossible for anyone to feel valued, respected or safe. Managers won't even apologize to you, but to the rude customer, because that is the one giving the company money with the membership; the employee can be replaced. They are dishonest and will look forward to their own benefit. Forget about teamwork and right accountability. They will look the other way when it makes them uncomfortable but wi
ProsBasic red membership is free, that is literally about it.
Repetitive, yet fulfilling and friendly workplace!
My work was nothing flashy to brag about, but it had its perks. I learned how to carry myself independently among customers and my co-workers alike, as most of my time on the job was spent alone in the kiosk/gas station area. The hardest part is just that, being able to maintain your multiple responsibilities and relying on your own personal skills to do the job effectively. There was decent training involved and I was in a unique position to be hired onto this job when the gas facility was just opening for this particular club. Management at this store was very kind and courteous to the needs of its employees and customers alike, and that gave me great comfort in my position. The tasks you generally have to attend to are simple and repetitive, such as cash transactions, bank drops when the drawer gets too full from so many sales, and assisting customers with technical issues/questions at the pump. The more complex things to worry about were safety procedures, conducting price changes, and technical glitches that could occur. There's a Help-desk line to assist with most of the technical problems that were experienced, whilst safety procedures covers how to handle gas spills, checking the facility for damages on sump tanks and the pumps, and knowing how to handle emergencies. Spills were common, whilst other emergencies were rare/non-existent. You will always come across some less-reasonable/unhappy customers in this position from time to time, especially in a store that requi
ProsGreat management, Free Membership to the Club, Decent Pay and Hours.
ConsNo "true" breaks, Entitled Customers, Reptitive work, Slow Response on some Facility repairs
More than 13 years experience in Management:
Leadership - I have earned the respect and trust of others through my uncompromising integrity and openness. I exhibits a high degree of confidence in myself as well as in others. I tolerate a great deal of pressure, and I quickly assume a strong leadership role. I influence others to perform better.
Innovation - I display creativity and original thinking beyond the expectations for my position. When faced with unexpected challenges, I am very resourceful. I generate many usable and ingenious suggestions for improving work. I have developed innovative approaches and ideas.
Managing People - I maintain full responsibility for my subordinates' activities. I oversees the day-to-day operations of the company. This involves the day-to-day execution of the plan and implementation of the policies and procedures. I provide clear direction and have little problem gaining compliance from others. I make sure that my subordinates are an important part of all planning. I make every effort to make myself accessible to my subordinates. I provide regular performance feedback, and work with my subordinates to develop their skills. I share credit and opportunities when appropriate.
Written Communications - I expertly edit my work, eliminating spelling and grammatical mistakes. I skillfully vary my writing style, adjusting it to the audience and the need. My writing is extremely clear, informative, and effective.
Oral Communications - I presen
This company has been dishonest from the day 1. The "leadership" is transient and borderline nonexistent. There is a strong mentality of "it’s not my job and not my problem" that plagues throughout the store. Dishonesty is rampant with false promises of job advancement opportunities, extra hours, blatant favoritism and a lack of compensation.
In my short time working for this company I begged for extra hours and responsibilities - something most employers would find valuable in a new employee. I was told that extra hours would be unavailable because the amount of time allowed for workers to have had reached its max. One month later Two full time employee were hired. One of those 2 employees I was responsible for training even though I had not even finished my probationary period. When I asked about again getting more hours i was told the same. They hours are unavailable.
I went to the HR department to talk about other positions within the store I was told that there were no full-time positions available. I asked to be crossed trained and to be able to work 2 departments at once because the one part time job that I had was not sufficient in maintaining my minimum standard of living. I wasn’t even able to pay my rent. I was told that I would not be able to work in 2 departments at once.
I then asked to work for a recently opening overnight position. I felt confident I was qualified because I had a bachelor’s degree, 5 years of grocery retail experience as well as 5 years of ho
I’ve been with this company for a long time now, extreme favoritism, little to no advancement, they want you to have the work schedule they require not what you’re available to do, weekly hours are terribly inconsistent, one week I worked 32hrs the following week I was only given 10hrs. If you’re an adult I do not recommend, teenagers and first time job people sure maybe. Supervisors are extremely entitled, almost all believe that because they are in a higher position they don’t have to get their hands dirty or get on a register to help when lines begin to form. There is a lot of do as I say, not as I do. The few managers we have are good, the overnight manager “X” is incredibly helpful, manager “Y” is a good one as well, this company rarely hires anyone full-time so if that’s what you need do not bother filling an application. They reel you in with the first few weeks of good hours but after about a month they’ll be cut nearly in half. It’s good during the holidays because you work plenty of hours but when it’s over around mid January they get cut drastically to where they just quit themselves. They won’t let you go or you won’t be laid off. This is a retail store and I know all stores are probably like this but I have yet to hear other employees in other BJs locations that I know personally to ever have any of these issues at their location. The tire center is pretty much a skeleton crew. Every day there will be only one single person running the whole department for about
ProsEvery Friday there are some snacks in the breakroom
ConsLoss of lunch breaks, terrible management, no advancement, spoken down on, taken advantage of.
Questions And Answers about BJ's Wholesale Club
If you were in charge, what would you do to make BJ's Wholesale Club a better place to work?
Asked Feb 8, 2018
Get Rid of management and start all over again and give them more training on the job they are to be in to be successful and build a company to be at It best
Answered Oct 29, 2021
Write a nice letter addressing all of the board of directors not the CEO because it will be swept under the rug , letting them know that BJ's paying members are not serviced well in certain departments which are understaffed and certainly not managed properly leading to members not shopping at certain locations or outright NOT ! renewing there membership. A tip if your reading this BJ'S home office in Massachusetts, remember some workers also own BJ'S stock and have knowledge of what goes on in there stores and it isn't pretty.
Answered May 23, 2021
What is the overnight hours
Asked Jun 23, 2016
Working after store closes. To do clean, work overtime
Answered Apr 1, 2019
Any hour between midnight and early morning. Overnight is to the night what afternoon is to the day. For example 2PM is 2 in the afternoon. 2am I call 2 in the overnight.
Answered Apr 1, 2019
What kind of drug test do they do urine or mouth swab?
Asked Sep 11, 2016
When I was hired years ago it was a urine test, but now it's a mouth swab.
Answered Apr 12, 2021
Mouth swab
Answered Jul 25, 2019
What advice would you give the CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club about how to improve it?
Asked Nov 28, 2017
Hire more qualified management and have more employees on staff.
Answered Jan 5, 2021
Would make surprise visits to the stores to see how they really are running. Take care of loyal employees, and punish the ones that don't do anything. Something needs to be done about an employee going out on sick leave only to have my position taken from under me and no management even tried ti find out when I was coming back even though I told mt direct manager I would be released the following week and they filed the position the week before I talked to him. Thought he should have said something. Now im gonna be without a job without insurance and I absolutely did nothing wrong as a matter of fact was seeing shrink numbers come down and finding merchandise that was lost. It would be nice if a company as big as this actually cared.
Answered Apr 5, 2020
What is the best part of working at BJ's Wholesale Club?
