Public Service Announcement - Sales Development Associate McMaster-Carr Employee Review

1.0
8 Sept 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

What people have already said about the pay and benefits is true. This is a dying breed of company in American. McM has not outsourced and they pay well. The health coverage is great (although recently got worse, as they try to cut costs), and the tuition reimbursement is a terrific benefit IF you can work going to school into your schedule. My guess is that few people take advantage of this benefit, as the hours don't allow you the time.

Cons

Geez, where do I start.....? -Mundane, boring job. Extremely repetitive and mind-numbing--and this applies no matter which department you work in. -Micromanagement is the norm. Culture is fear-based. Tons of 'feedback' (which is the F word around McM). Tons of negative critique. No one will have say "good job" or "nice work." Instead, you will be nit-picked to death. -People are terminated regularly. They critique you so much on little stuff that when it's time to fire, they will have a folder ready, filled with "errors" you've made to justify their decision. Everyone wonders week to week if it will be their last. No one feels safe and this creates a lot of anxiety. People report on one another simply to save themselves. This place feels totalitarian, it really does. -Draconian scheduling. You will be expected to be at your post exactly on time, no exceptions! Traffic accident? Too bad! You will receive a black mark. Kid needs emergency run to the doctor? We're sorry, but this will go into your folder! No leeway is given. -Two tier system. There are the lowly peons and the newly hired MTs. They will not acknowledge your presence nor greet you when you pass in the hall. You are nothing, and they run the show. Got it? Good. That's the McM way. Blatant inequity.

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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