I'm a very honest person, so I'll just tell it like it is what my personal view of cons are at the hub I work at. Keep in mind that my pros outweigh the cons, as these cons are just the little things that nudge me and they are things i've experienced personally, so I just want you to be aware of it if you're looking to work for UPS. It looks like a lot, but it's just me adding detail.
-If you're a college student, read this. UPS doesn't pay for your college (or give you loans or whatever) unless you're in management (supervisor and higher). I believe you need to work at UPS for about 6 months before you can apply for a supervisor position, and then if you get promoted, then the college benefits will apply. This is what i've been told by my supervisor.
-Not a con really, but just be aware, the place is incredibly hot in the summer. Wear tanktops.
-You will work anywhere from 3-5 hours tops per day (unless you're double shifting), with only a 10 minute break which could happen at ANY moment. I've gone on breaks 15-30 minutes into the shift because some people were late to the sort/loading aisle and they couldn't keep up with the flow of operations, and i've had breaks with only 30-45 minutes left in the shift. Whatever the case, just know this.
-People have probably told you for a long time that UPS is a "great company to work for." Yes, it is ... in the long, long run. It takes a long time to get a full-time position. At my hub, it takes between 6-15 years to get a full time job. Literally. I'm on the list currently to be a delivery driver, and I think there were 600-800 others on that list with me, some of whom have been there for 5-10 years already and are STILL part-time. To add to that bonus, it's seniority-based. They don't choose the most promising people on the list, they choose those who've been there the longest. Yikes. Here's a tip though, I've spoken to at least a dozen drivers and they all recommend that you do saturday delivery while you're on that list to start (even volunteering as a driver helper), as it will help tremendously to transition you into the full-time delivery spot when the time comes.
-The pay is not very good for the amount of strain and sweat we endure. Prepare to make around $500-$700/mo for a while if you're a part-timer. I'm barely getting by with those paychecks. If you're in college, this job may be suitable for you. If you're trying to find a place to settle in for the next 30 years, get another PT/FT job with UPS to accommodate your wages until you get a full time position.
-They don't care if you're a hard worker. Seniority is supreme at UPS, and working physically harder and quicker than everyone else will not get you a raise or promoted faster. I'm personally tired of people telling me to "charm" my way up at UPS. It just doesn't work like that here. Only time will present you the opportunity, since everything is a "list." I'm not saying you shouldn't work hard and be lazy though.
-College education is deceiving at UPS. They're necessary for some positions obviously, but the management field is a very thin line. I was told by multiple people (mostly supervisors and even great managers) that management will accept any business degree regardless of the field of interest or the position you're trying to apply for. They just want you to "advance yourself" and not become a higher position just for the sake of being that. In other words, don't apply to become a supervisor JUST to be a supervisor, they want you to want more in life than to just settle in that position.
-They say that safety is everything, but the equipment is unsafe. The maintenance crew prolongs the projects for months (or even years). Management tends to spend more time reminding you of the 8 keys of lifting and lowering, hazmat handling, avoiding slips and falls, and yard control than they do fixing your equipment. Also, you WILL get bruises, strains, and scratches, and other things like tendonitis. It's very easy to get hurt even if you are safe.
