Am I going to lose my job... Today? - Management Trainee McMaster-Carr Employee Review

2.0
27 May 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The pay and benefits are fantastic, but they create a dependency making it nearly impossible to leave. They hire all Ivey Leaguers so it is very nice to work with smart, talented people day in and day out, but that does breed competition.

Cons

Managements decisions are not only unclear, they are not disseminated to employees so your jobs expectations are not defined. As an employee, you go to work in fear that you MAY not be working to your managers unclear expectations. It is, by far, the worst feeling to live with that I have ever experienced. I would dread going in to work starting Sunday night and would relish Friday afternoons.

Explore other reviews about McMaster-Carr

5.0
14 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

At least in the Systems department, it’s a helpful and collaborative environment.

Cons

3 days in office and potentially long commute from the city

4.0
16 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Pay/benefits are incredibly generous - People are generally easy/nice to work with - Note that the Systems department seems to be fairly isolated from the negative issues discussed in other reviews (e.g. tension between warehouse workers and management) - I haven't experienced any of those issues within the systems department. In my opinion, Systems is a great place to work and develop as an engineer. - Hybrid work style (3 days in office). Personally, I like hybrid more than both fully in-office and fully remote styles. - Great cafeteria with good food and cheap prices. - Good work/life balance (outside of being on call, I can leave work at work).

Cons

- Work is not super interesting to me. I come from a highly technical, but very different (not ecommerce/industrial supplies), background where I was doing work I was much more interested in. No doubt there are folks in Systems who love the domain though. - While I'm not on call a ton (1-2 weeks every few months), I really hate being on call. I like to leave work at work. Note that joining at least one reliability team is expected within your first year or so.

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