Kmart Reviews

Pros

I'm a single parent and flexibility in my work hours is important at times. When I've needed a day off, Kmart works with me.

Cons

Overtime is not allowed & there is a wage freeze. As a single parent, this is devastating. Everyday expenses have increased, yet I'm making the same amount as three years ago. There are times people won't come in to work and if allowed, I would gladly pick up those "extra" hours, but it isn't allowed because of OT.

Advice to Senior Management

I have watched morale drop a great deal in the years I have worked at Kmart. Many co-workers have stated they "don't want to work, as hard as they used to, when they aren't being appreciated or compensated for their efforts.". I try to live by the "all good things come to those who wait" motto, but realistically that isn't going to feed my kid or pay my rent.

Pros

It is a job and I get paid? The discount card could be useful if used for the right things.

Cons

Very unprofessional atmosphere, the lounge smells like vomit, we were left to languish for nearly an hour during orientation. Very frustrating.

Advice to Senior Management

My advice would be that while your customers are important you should also value your employees a little more. Clean up your lounge and be responsible for the people you hire when you call them in at a specific time. You write up infractions for people being late, but by disregarding your new group when you leave them for nearly an hour, not once but twice with no word it looks very unprofessional. Set the example. That's why you're the manager. You should know better.

Pros

flexibility, customer contact, employee discount

Cons

low pay, not enough hours, no where to grow, no incentive to stay, lack of training, breaks are too far apart--especially the 6 hour shifts.

Advice to Senior Management

learn what your customers want, learn how to treat employees, read employee handbook

Pros

Employee discount
Flexible scheduling
Good for someone who does not want to advance in life
Get to see what is coming out in the ads first

Cons

Store is old, dirty, needs work.
Management sits in the back office and are not seen on sales floor
Merchandise is just strewn through out the store.
Too many related people working there, cousins, sisters, brothers, moms and dads
Over zealous loss prevention.

Advice to Senior Management

Become more involved in day to day operations. Do not sit idly in the back office talking about last evening's outings and things. Empower employees to give great customer service. Act as if you care even if you do not.

Pros

Okay pay, little to no supervision, somewhat flexible in scheduling.

Cons

Management, customers, disorganization, no communication, unrealistic goals.

Pros

Diverse environment
People from all over the world come there [in Manhattan atleast]
Prices are really cheap
They sell everything [including dorm and college stuff] so it's good when you going to college and you use that Employee Discount card :)
Management is laid-back

Cons

Difficult customers [every once in a blue moon]
Attitudes of other co-workers on their bad days
Horrible pay for Cashiers [minimum wage] despite all the work you do

Advice to Senior Management

Pay the cashiers more! Otherwise, we'll keep leaving to better sales jobs.

Pros

Associates become part of a family. We feel as if leaving the company would be like leaving family and friends.

Cons

Management Team does not give positive feedback enough. The main time you hear anything regarding your job is when you are being yelled at. This happens in front of other employees and customers rather in a private setting.

Advice to Senior Management

Take Leadership courses yearly. Leadership does not only include being a Manager, it also includes being able to bring others up with you.

Pros

Position has great hours
steady work load

Cons

very few full time positions with benefits

Pros

Management is nice enough, fair. If you show them that you will help them out (short notice call in, stay over), they will give you off season days off that you request. Just don't expect actual holidays.

When they have complaints about you, they do not yell. They very delicately let you know what the problem is.

Most of the co-workers, especially long term, are very good natured people.

They don't fire people for no reason. If you can do the job, show up on time, say the script, follow most of the dress code most of the time and deal politely with customers, and don't steal you are unlikely to be fired.

Schedules become very regular during the non-holiday season. You get pretty much what you ask for. Just politely let the scheduler know how they are doing and if there are problems.

It's a simple repetitive job. It is very easy once you get the hang of it. Very few surprises other than those from customers.

You get employee discount.

You know when things go on clearance before anyone else, and can snap up really good deals!

It's pretty easy to get a job, especially during the holiday season.

Cons

Pay is low.
Benefits are not free for part timers.
Most positions are part time. Those that are not burn out fast (service desk).
Hours vary with season.
Holidays are work days. Don't bother to ask off.
Holiday season, expect to work random hours. Close one night, open the next.
You are expected to get rewards cards. More is better. If you don't expect flak.
You are replaceable, and once you've been there awhile, you train your replacements.
Customers can be rude to you, but you must never be rude to them.
The training is never ending, and repetitious.
The machines don't interface well. They break down. Freeze up.
Corporate is often touring, secret shopping, and just looking for a reason to complain about the workers.
It's all about numbers and quotas in the end.

Advice to Senior Management

Continue being courteous and understanding of peoples' lives. It's one of your most refreshing traits. Do what you must to keep the place open with corporate, but don't let them ruin the parts of the job that make it worthwhile.

Pros

Many very hard working people

Cons

Job always feels threatened. Everyday we're scrambling as fast as we can afraid of infractions.
Many people at my work have been getting sick from each other because they are afraid to take a day off. One person came into work sick and now 4 of their co-workers got sick. Three family members of those co-workers got sick as well, two of them being children. (I'm sure more have gotten sick that i don't know of). Two of my coworkers called in the night before to take the day off because their kids were sick, they then received infractions.....FOR TAKING A SICK DAY!!! I myself got sick and had to go to work with a fever of 103 F, when the night before i had night sweats that soaked my sheets and kept vomiting blood. My family wanted me to go to the hospital....but how can I? I couldn't afford loosing my job and then having to pay medical bills.....

Advice to Senior Management

Allow your employees to take a couple sick days a year. After all we're only human. How on earth can the people who even want to keep a job at this company survive for long in conditions like this? Somehow I'm working harder than i ever have in my entire life and yet i am poorer than i ever have been. Overall, TAKE CARE OF YOUR EMPLOYEES!!