Wish it could have been better - Business Operations Specialist McMaster-Carr Employee Review

2.0
14 Jun 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

As everyone mentions, benefits are top notch, golden handcuff retirement benefits, and decent people as coworkers.

Cons

Where to start...the culture is set up for your personal failure. Regardless of how well you do, there will always be "feedback" whether it's valid or not. You are expected to receive it well or that counts against you as well. It may be a well oiled lean mean corporate machine, but it's a wood chipper to people's actual well being. More people on anti-depressants than not. Even if it is the work environment for you, management may decide you're not for McMaster-Carr and you'll know it as your numbers will suddenly be "unacceptable" and things you were commended for before become things that are working against you. Direct managers change frequently, so too will your status and job security. McM is concerned about their image and have "current employees" aka the Management putting false positive reviews up on Glassdoor. Wish it was a better place, but it just wasn't. After employed there, very few transferable skills to get you your next job in the marketplace. Had to go back to my previous job for skills that would transfer to new employment opportunities.

Explore other reviews about McMaster-Carr

5.0
14 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

At least in the Systems department, it’s a helpful and collaborative environment.

Cons

3 days in office and potentially long commute from the city

4.0
16 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Pay/benefits are incredibly generous - People are generally easy/nice to work with - Note that the Systems department seems to be fairly isolated from the negative issues discussed in other reviews (e.g. tension between warehouse workers and management) - I haven't experienced any of those issues within the systems department. In my opinion, Systems is a great place to work and develop as an engineer. - Hybrid work style (3 days in office). Personally, I like hybrid more than both fully in-office and fully remote styles. - Great cafeteria with good food and cheap prices. - Good work/life balance (outside of being on call, I can leave work at work).

Cons

- Work is not super interesting to me. I come from a highly technical, but very different (not ecommerce/industrial supplies), background where I was doing work I was much more interested in. No doubt there are folks in Systems who love the domain though. - While I'm not on call a ton (1-2 weeks every few months), I really hate being on call. I like to leave work at work. Note that joining at least one reliability team is expected within your first year or so.

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