Corporate North Korea - Supervisor McMaster-Carr Employee Review

1.0
23 Feb 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

If you are a corporate robot or paperwork zombie then you will love McMaster-Carr Industrial Supply Company. Or, if you would like to live out a more extreme version of the movie "Office Space" then this place is an excellent fit. Also, the city of Elmhurst is very charming.

Cons

Too many to list here. Overall, one of the most bizarre and intellectually stultifying environments I have ever worked in, in my 8 years of work experience. You will feel transported to North Korea even though you live in a free country with a free labor force. Even if you are part of the "management training" program as I was, you will suffer from insecure, incompetent management, and the guilt of knowing that you are making much more money than people who actually know what they are doing.

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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