Worst of the Worst - Store Team Leader Ocean State Job Lot Employee Review

1.0
23 Jan 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Insurance was good and PTO was generous

Cons

The company prides itself on its philanthropic culture yet allows stores to drown in freight causing dangerous working conditions and a work load that is almost comical. How about about we put all that “good work” in the community money and invest in the associates wages and keep buildings clean and safe? Its always a lose-lose situation with freight due to the conflicting and confusing direction. Often direction gets changed multiple times per week (sometimes daily) and then the district and regional team wonder why we are buried in freight? Perhaps if items didn’t have to move the same items a hundred times it would help. Field leadership is a joke and protect themselves. The keep vital information away from the store operations team and the ownership group. A CYA culture where “it” always rolls downhill. I was made to work with pneumonia and was told by a field leader that I had responsibilities and as long as I wasn’t contagious, I needed to support my store. region 2 is lead by using fear tactics and the field leadership falls right into line….or else. It’s no wonder the ratings for OSJL continue to fall and why they try to persuade the store associates to post positive reviews. Dear ownership, if you are reading this, open your eyes and your ears next time you are in a store. Maybe that’s the problem really: you actually don’t care about anything but the bottom line. The thing is, there are many other discount retailers expanding throughout your operating territories and they will be more than happy to see you blinded by $$ while they focus on the people.

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Ocean State Job Lot Response
3y
Thank you for your feedback on your experience with us and your over 20 years of experience working with us. Safety is and will continue to be our most important focus. Leaders have the authority to work with their District Team Leader to adjust delivery schedules to ensure unsafe conditions do not occur. We cultivate great ideas from our teams and are open to hearing from you on some potential ideas you may have to improve this process.We nurture wellbeing, and always encourage associates who are unwell to not report to work and we have expansive sick pay strategies to ensure associates are protected financially against long term illness, including complimentary short and long term disability and a sick balance that can accrue up to four and a half weeks of full sick pay. We would like to understand more about your experiences with your field leadership. Please email T.Mcmullen@OSJL,com so we can set up some time to learn more about your individual situation.

Explore other reviews about Ocean State Job Lot

5.0
30 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You don't experience many of the retail horror stories you would at larger chains. Management was reasonably flexible with scheduling and always took our side during customer disputes. 30% discount nice bonus too (40% on some days)

Cons

None that I can think of

1.0
7 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

it is a decent overall gap job, you will be doing every role in the store and if it is dead you will be expected to multitask up front.

Cons

some of the management could be harsh on employees

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