Avoid this company like the plague - Anonymous employee Cato Employee Review

1.0
18 Oct 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

My immediate coworkers are generally very nice.

Cons

This is an ego driven company run by narcissists who are obsessed with preservation of the hierarchy. Lower level employees are underpaid and undervalued. Morale is painfully low. The CEO is a tyrant and there is infighting among upper management. Low level salaries are extremely low and many people have second jobs to make ends meet. Nobody, not even upper management, hides their disdain for both the company and CEO, who leads with fear. The company doesn’t stand for anything and is morally corrupt. Upper management is very secretive and it isn’t safe to trust anyone. Everybody is constantly on pins and needles and stress levels are high. The company is a sinking ship and management is to blame.

Explore other reviews about Cato

5.0
12 Mar 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great work life balance and good people

Cons

None at all. Great company

5.0
17 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The Employee Discount: One of the biggest perks mentioned by staff is the 20% employee discount, which usually applies to everything in the store, including clearance items. Fun Environment for Fashion Lovers: If you enjoy clothing, styling, visual merchandising, and putting together outfits on mannequins, the day-to-day work can be highly creative and genuinely fun. Tight-Knit Teams & Loyal Customers: Because Cato locations are usually smaller boutique-style setups rather than massive department stores, the staff sizes are small (often under 5–8 people). This frequently leads to a tight-knit, low-drama team environment. Employees also note that Cato has a very loyal base of regular customers, making guest interactions rewarding.

Cons

Lack of Extra Benefits for Part-Time: Most part-time positions do not offer paid breaks or paid sick leave, meaning if you have to miss a shift, you simply lose out on those hours. Older Technology: Some employees note that the company’s point-of-sale (POS) registers and inventory management systems feel a bit outdated or slow compared to larger corporate retail chains.

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