Pros
First, in reading through many of the reviews here, it sounds like most come from union stores. Let it be noted that I work in a non-union Kroger store. It has many of the problems described from union stores. I believe there is absolutely no difference whether the union is there or not. You have just as much job security in a non union store. If you show up and don't steal, you won't be fired. One of my favorite things about the job is interacting with customers. I love to fix problems, make them feel comfortable and valued, and address their issues by giving them knowledgeable solutions. If I can make someone's day better and less frustrating, it's a win for us both! Promotions- There is room for promotion if you show competency in your work, loyalty to company, have a good work ethic and good attendance record. Perks- 10 percent employee discount on Kroger brand items. Cashiers get a few "fun size" candy bars when they make elms scores. Occasionally free food/party days in break room. (This is for day shift. If you work nights, all the food is left out to go bad by the time you get there. So nothing for night crew.) Occasionally, free sandwiches from the deli can be found in the break room refrigerator when they become outdated. Last year, my store got a tv and new couch in the break room. I think this was supposed to be a perk. Personally, I do not take my breaks in the break room. It is dirty and it smells by the time the night crew comes in. Benefits- Insurance (I feel cost is high, I pay almost $400 a month for myself and 3 children) 401K, After being employed a year, you will get 1 week paid vacation for part time (28 hours) And 2 weeks paid vacation for full time(40 hours each), 2 personal days a year. You must work 8 years to get 3 weeks paid vacation. 15 years for 4 weeks and 25 years for 5 weeks.
Cons
Where do I start? Training. This consists of several days taking computer tests. Then on the job training is supposed to be several days of working with an experienced employee in the department you were hired into. However, this time is usually used by making you bag groceries instead of learning the job you were hired for. Work Load. The amount of work you are required to do within your shift is so unreasonable and unrealistic that most of the employees I work with are disgruntled and have feelings of hopelessness. It is a terrible thing when your job makes you want to give up on life. You have to cut breaks as short as possible, or work through them. This is actually encouraged by management, but is supposed to be kept hush hush so corporate doesn't find out. I think the highest stress part of the job is not being allowed to go home for the day when you are scheduled to. You must stay until your work is finished, regardless of how long it takes you. I have often been forced to work 10 to 12 hour days, 6 to 7 days a week. You never get 2 consecutive days off. I had asked for 2 days off in a row and by some miracle, it was granted to me. But, then as a punishment for taking 2 days off, I was forced to work the next 9 days straight before I got another day off. Their reasoning was that if you get 2 days off in a row then you should be so well rested you don't need days off for a very long time afterward. Holidays. I have worked every 4th of July, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas for the last 4 years. When asking for these holidays off, you are told that nobody gets them off. Everyone has to work the holidays, as if this makes it perfectly ok. No consideration is given for anyone with families. To Kroger, stocking cat litter on the shelf is much more important than being with your family on a holiday. Management will often take the attitude that if they have to work it, so do you. The work-life balance is non existent. I have brought up this issue with management over and over and it has fallen on deaf ears. It is impossible to make any kind of plans outside of work because of the inconsistent scheduling. Stress Level and Management. You would not think that working in a grocery store would be such a high level of stress, but you are constantly condescended, disrespected, nitpicked, and in general, treated as though you are an incompetent failure. The true incompetent failures are those that run the Kroger company. They base everything on numbers and not realities of what's actually going on, on the floor. They do not care about the employees as far as I have seen. Some management, (not all) will cuss you out for certain infractions. It has not happened to me personally, but I have seen it. Nor do those in corporate care about their store managers. They criticize to the point that the managers have no choice but to hand it down to the employees. Employees are not treated as individuals but bodies who can be forced to do more work in less time. The turn over rate is high because of extremely low wages, terrible training, insane work load, and the condescending attitudes of many in management positions. If you bother to stand up for yourself, you will be told that you have an attitude problem, are not a team player and you are not doing your job. There is zero communication at Kroger, unless it is to tell you that you did something wrong. Nitpicking is rampant by some members of management and tattle-telling is rampant by many co-workers. It is a difficult environment for mature, educated adults to work in. There is very little praise and a lot of criticism. Kroger is constantly coming up with new programs to make things better in their stores. All they do is make a complete mess. Kroger best practices are many times so time consuming that your 8 hour shift would turn into a 16 hour one if you followed them. You have no choice but to cut corners. My son asked me once if he could work at Kroger when he was old enough and I gasped and said NO! The mere thought of my child working in such an environment makes me shudder. I would not recommend this job to anyone. Go elsewhere if you are just starting out. Don't make the same mistake I did or you will be stuck in a hopeless and thankless job, just like me.