Hy-Vee Reviews

Pros

The People
Easy to work with on availablitiy

Cons

The pay
Hours cut when new people are hired

Pros

There are many other friendly employees, high level of customer service, there is a lot of room for advancement as well.

Cons

You need to be very patient when it comes to dealing with people and issues that may come up , customer service is everything at Hy-Vee.

Advice to Senior Management

They always are very thankful for your time and effort that you put it. Management always says thank you to you.

Pros

Management is really nice, however some lack some good communication skills and public speaking abilities. Really flexible with hours although they do require you to sacrifice a lot of weekends because that's when they receive most of their business. Managers positions get paid well and have excellent benefits, but do work long hours.

Cons

It is retail therefore a lot of working weekends is required. If your a family man/woman it will be difficult for the family. Also, holidays are a bear to get off as it is the busiest time of the year for the grocery business.

Advice to Senior Management

My biggest concern for management should be their leadership skills, as some of the managers have no upper level education. I believe a managerial seminar would be beneficial to some, and to learn some strategies for being an effective manager and public speaker.

Pros

Friendly co-workers, time off was easy to get if requested in advance, starting pay was good, switching departments isn't difficult.

Cons

Next to impossible to get a performance review/raise. The GM always claimed to be 'too busy' to do a review and his underlings were only capable of shunting you back to him. Couldn't even get constructive criticism.

Advice to Senior Management

I wouldn't be upset if a 3-month performance review wasn't promised to me by the HR manager. At least level with your employees and let them know that it isn't guaranteed.

Pros

no lay offs
clean store
employee meal discounts
pregnancy leave

Cons

not everyone gets raises. everyone should ge one. if some get one all should get one
not fair on promotions unless you know someone
my husband is made to work over 11 hours aday

Advice to Senior Management

give raises to everyone and care more about your employees not a who you know company

Pros

They are very flexible with your schedule, so if you are looking for a part-time job while in college or high school, it's great!

Cons

Sometimes management could show favoritism, but that's with any company. It's always difficult working with the public - it can be a little frustrating at times.

Advice to Senior Management

None

Pros

very flexible hours, easy to get time off
good variety of departments to cross-train in
managers usually very nice and easy to get along with
meal discounts
most customers are nice

Cons

very hard to get promoted unless you have a 4-year degree or are currently going to college
nearly impossible to get moved up to full or even regular time
awful pay
bottom-level employees can usually forget about attending church
broken promises
no rewards for good quality employees
no grocery discounts
as with all service industries, you sometimes have to deal with jerks

Advice to Senior Management

try to create more full/regular-time positions so more working adults can stay here
when a promise is made, follow through
create rewards for employees who do good work, you need to make the good workers feel appreciated to be able to keep them
consider offering grocery discounts to employees at least during holiday season as non-managers are barely making enough to survive, if not living in poverty.

Pros

Very easy to get time off
Co-Workers are fun
Pay is OK

Cons

You don't do the job you apply for. You kinda just do whatever they need you to do.
Boys are the only gender to ever get carts.
Break time is very short.

Advice to Senior Management

You should ask the employees for their input every once in a while. I feel there's no member of management I can voice a complaint to without retaliations.

Pros

Hy-Vee provides an opportunity to grow as a professional at either a retail or corporate level. Benefits are above average for regular and full-time employees. Hy-Vee has remained a growth-company for almost 80 years.

Cons

The Store Director sets the tone for box. Store Directors rely heavily on the Manager of Store Operations as his/her eyes and ears that you truly hope that underling always keeps the best interests of the store in mind. If he/she has a weak or self-serving Manager of Store Operations it can make it miserable for everyone.
As a mid-level manager be prepared to work 60 hours a week on average with the rare weekend off. Again, the Manager of Store Operations often calls the shots on scheduling but that can vary from store to store.
Basically, a store can have a miserable culture but drive across town to another Hy-Vee and everyone is happy working as a team. Store autonomy can be a mixed blessing.

Advice to Senior Management

Remember that even mid-level managers have families and that they need to see their mom or dad on weekends, too.
Also, regional/district managers would benefit receiving reviews from assistant and department managers about their respective stores. Their voice often goes unheard.

Pros

Great first job, great pay raises, and great promotions. If you are a good, happy, helpful employee they will notice and praise you for it

Cons

Customers yell at employees, but you are going to get that any place you work. Sometimes management has to cut hours and they will most likely cut hours on people like cashiers and courtesy clerks (people who bag and get carts)