Better History Than Future - Manager Kohl's Employee Review

1.0
Oct 16, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Kohl's was the darling of the retail industry for many years and rightly so. While other retail companies looked to get into businesses outside their core competency, Kohl's remained focused on it's core retail business. Good benefits, but increases for good performance are pitiful.

Cons

Kohl's always prided itself on empowering it's people to make decisions and running a lean ship, but in recent years, no one below senior management is truly empowered and the lean machine has become fat, as each pyramid head builds their kingdom. Decisions are made by committees, dictated by upper management or not made at all because one mistake will get you fired. How can you run a fashion business without taking risks? Look at today's merchandise assortments; boring, lacking fashion, poor quality and the proprietary brands lack distinction from each other. This is what happens when the lowest price versus the best value for the customer drives the decision making. Hard work, results and company loyalty no longer advances you through this company. Politics, having the right look and allegiance to your hiring manager, not the company, are the route for promotion today. Many positions are now filled by political lackeys, rather than professional retailers. The true merchants have all been killed off.

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5.0
Jul 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible Chill Swag Easy peasy

Cons

Not a lot of hours there

2.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good full-time benefits, flexible scheduling. But the cons are starting to outweigh the good.

Cons

A new store manager took over the Massapequa Park location (Long Island, NY) and the workplace culture has become highly challenging since. Her management style is overly critical, and she makes harsh, rapid judgments without taking the time to know her associates or understand their roles. Furthermore, she does not lead by example, and she sets unrealistic expectations without providing regular check-ins or continuous coaching. This has left the staff feeling unsupported and neglected. There is also a strong perception that loyal employees hours are being unfairly cut or even terminated to reduce store costs rather than supporting the well-being and retention of the staff.

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