The WORST Companies To Work For In The US

By molly atherton 1 year ago
Ah, the workplace woes and corporate calamities! Grab some popcorn and a stress ball as we unveil the workplaces that make you question your career choices faster than you can say "emergency exit."

Union Pacific

With a shocking score of 2.1 out of 5, Union Pacific does not go down well with its workers. With poor wages being its main issue,UP: Employee Ownership Is 'Table Stakes' for Modern CompaniesImage Source/ Union Pacificit's far from the only issue. The others include poor work-life balance, long hours on call, lack of progression, and poor approval of the CEO. Original content sourced from Femanin.com

Dish Network

Dish, the cable and telecommunications company, fails with its employees to achieve a high Glassdoor score. Like many of itsDish Network Plans Layoffs Amid COVID-19 Crisis - VarietyImage Source/ Varietytelecommunications counterpart companies, the cable giant scores an abysmal 2.6, with agents and employees complaining.

Steak n Shake

One of the worst scores up on this list is the fast food chain Steak n Shake, with a Glassdoor rating of 2.8. One of the main stipulationsSteak-N-Shake - Petroleum WholesaleImage Source/ Petroleum Wholesalewith the company is that they are more customer-focused than employee-focused, causing low morale. Also, hardly anyone approves of the CEO.

U.S. Security Associates

Coming in with another score of 2.8, U.S. Security Associates doesn't bide well with its employees. Citing low pay, infrequentWorking at U.S. Security Associates | GlassdoorImage Source/ Glassdoorraises, it's clear that the reviewers on Glassdoor meant business when throwing this company under the bus.

CVS Health

Drug retailer CVS just scrapes into the 3 star territory, with the employee reviews speaking of unreasonable expectations,More CVS Workers Join Local 135 for a Better Life - The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union | The United Food & Commercial Workers International UnionImage Source/ UFCWunderstaffing, and dissatisfaction. Given an industry that cares about health, you'd expect they would take better care of their employees.

Family Dollar Stores

With an abysmal 3 stars on Glassdoor, Family Dollar Stores lands itself upon this list, and for good cause. Employees wereFamily Dollar - Miami Beach | Retail - ConvenienceImage Source/ WebPageDepotforced to work overnight at the store (without pay) and some were made to work over 60 hours per week. How can they let this stuff slide?

Genesis HealthCare

With reviews mentioning lack of progression, infrequent raises, understaffing, and unreasonable upper management, GenesisGenesis Healthcare Employee Benefits and Perks | GlassdoorImage Source/ Glassdoorscores itself 3 stars out of 5 on Glassdoor, with less than half of its employee base recommending working there to a friend.

LA Fitness

LA Fitness lands itself a 3 star score on Glassdoor, with less than half its employee base recommending working there (the restWelcome Back Employees - Here's What's New! - YouTubeImage Source/ YouTubeof which are probably upper management). Reviewers mention low pay, long hours, and unreasonable upper management as reasons.

Speedway LLC

Careers - SpeedwayImage Source/ SpeedwayLLC would be a great place to work right? However, according to its 3 star rating on Glassdoor, you'll have a lack of work-life balance.

Dillard's

Clothing retailer Dillard's employees have had a lot to say about the unrealistic sales targets they are forced to meet,Working At Dillard's: Employee Reviews and CultureImage Source/ Zippiaand poor management practices too. Less than half the employees would recommend to a friend, and the score continues to get lower.

Hertz

Not only does Hertz have a terrible 3.1 rating on Glassdoor, employees suffer with poor pay, unfavourable workingHertz Car Rental Suffers Massive Layoffs, Stock Drop From COVID-19 PandemicImage Source/ Forbesconditions. Given they are one of the biggest car rental companies, you'd think they would know how to properly treat employees.

Kroger

Kroger comes into this list with a low score of 3.1, however not the worst among these companies. There's actually anHow Kroger Responded To The Backlash After Cutting Workers' PayImage Source/ Mashedonline forum where Kroger employees complain about their working life. With rumours that they pay their workers below minimum wage.

The Fresh Market

Due to its insufficient training, inexperienced departments managers, and low approval of the CEO, The Fresh Market scoresThe Fresh Market Employee Benefits and Discounts - GuideImage Source/ Employee Benefitsitself at 3.1 on Glassdoor, not a great performance. With its company ethos of "creating an extraordinary food shopping experience for its customers".

Alorica

Back in 2017, Alorica had an awful score of 2.3 on Glassdoor, which has improved to 3.2 recently, still with room for improvement.Working At Alorica: Employee Reviews and CultureImage Source/ ZippiaThere have been complaints about terrible office and senior management, plus a lack of communication, let's hope this is on the mend.

Belk

Clothing retailer Belk scored 3.2 on Glassdoor, with their pay being the biggest downfall of the company. Not only this, but there'sWorking At Belk: Employee Reviews and CultureImage Source/ Zippiaa lack of communication between the retail employees and senior management. However, the score did increase by quite a bit.

Forever 21

While Forever 21 declared bankruptcy in 2019, they were bought out and somehow managed to stay alive (despite closing most5 Things to Hate About Forever 21 — esaImage Source/ ESAof their international stores). The clothing is so cheap only because the sweat-shop like conditions and unfair pay.

Rent-A-Center

With a Glassdoor rating of 3.2, Rent-A-Center boasts poor work-life balance, inadequate senior management, lowRent A CenterImage Source/ Bk Kent Weekemployee morale, and financial strain within the company. Less than half of the workers employed at Rent-A-Center would recommend.

Sears

While struggling to make a profit, Sears is also struggling to retain its staff, with hundreds of stores closing recently.Sears bankruptcy judge told not to let Sears 'be a pawn' for LampertImage Source/ USA TodayWith issues like job security, bad working environments, low pay, awful hours, and unethical work practices, it's not surprising.

Walmart

With it's Glassdoor rating of 3.3 out of 5, that's not the only reason that Walmart tops this list. In the eyes of the NationalInvesting in Our Associates and Roles of the FutureImage Source/ Walmart Inc.Employment Law Project, poor wages and sweatshop-like conditions makes it the worst company, not to mention the countless employee lawsuits.

The Children's Place

With an array of issues such as low pay, lack of progression, and bad upper management, it's no surprise that The Children's PlaceThe Children's Place Application Online: Jobs & Career InfoImage Source/ Ncescscored an abysmal 3.3 on Glassdoor. While it is still higher than some of the awful companies on this list, they still manage to squeeze in.

CompuCom

With over 11,000 employees, it's very surprising that over half of them don't approve of CompuCom's CEO. The IT servicesCompucom | LinkedInImage Source/ LinkedIncompany has addressed this issue with its employees and has risen their score from 2.6 to 3.4 over the years though, so that's a plus.

Kraft Heinz Company

Lots of employees have scored Kraft Heinz Company a one star on Glassdoor, with the main stipulations being the work-life balanceTurning the (smartphone) cameras over to the factory workers, Kraft Heinz cooks up a new ad | Pittsburgh Post-GazetteImage Source/ Pitssburgh Post-Gazette(with 11 hour working days), and an insufficient upper management team. The score has improved slightly over the past few months.

Regal Cinemas

While there are some perks to working at Regal Cinemas, including free admission and concession discounts, the companyRegal Jobs & Careers | Regal TheatersImage Source/ Regalisn't great to work for. When it was bought by Cineworld, the quality of work-life went downhill with poor conditions, understaffing, and low wages.

Kmart

While scoring better than Walmart, Kmart has fought hard to become a leading retailer in the US at the expense of its employees.Sears employees say they have 'impossible choices' - L.A. Business FirstImage Source/ The Business JournalsWith poor employee compensation and a toxic work culture, Kmart comes into this list with a score of 3.5 on Glassdoor.

TJ Maxx Companies

Customers can understand how difficult it must be to deal with the long queues and unorganised mess that is TJ Maxx, whichT.J. Maxx Owner Lifts Worker Pay, Following Wal-Mart - WSJImage Source/ Wall Street Journalis why it's easy to empathise with the ridiculously low wages that TJ Maxx offer. They scored a 3.5 on Glassdoor.

McDonald's

The highest-grossing restaurant chain in the US (and possibly the world), McDonald's should be fair when it comes to treating staff.What People Don't Realize About the McDonald's StrikesImage Source/ EntrepreneurHowever, shifts without breaks, poor pay, and inadequate benefits has landed McDonald's with a 3.5 score on Glassdoor.

Amazon

With a score of 3.6, Amazon reaches this list, notoriously bad for the way Amazon treats its employees. With several threadsAmazon Faces A Crucible Moment With EmployeesImage Source/ Forbeson Reddit, reasons for disliking the company include micromanagement, no respect, long and intense hours, and a tell-tale app.

Charter Communications

Telecommunications giant Charter Communications were scored 2.7 on Glassdoor in the past, but have managed to weaselCharter staff told to report to offices despite positive coronavirus tests | TechCrunchImage Source/ TechCrunchtheir way to 3.6 in recent years. Among the issues are overbearing management, instability, poor wages, and a stressful working environment.

Tyson Foods

It seems that this US company should've been higher up on this list, with rumours that employees wear adult diapers due toTyson Foods Promises Better Conditions And Safety For Meat Workers : The Salt : NPRImage Source/ NPRlack of bathroom breaks. Scoring a surprisingly high score of 3.6, Tyson Foods has issues such as dangerous work environment.

Frontier Communications

In 2018, Frontier Communications was one of the worst-ranked companies in the US with a terrible score of 2.5 on Glassdoor.UPDATE: Settlement reached to end Frontier Communications strike, union saysImage Source/ WTAPWhile still a poor company, they have improved their rating to 3.7. Among the issues still remaining are CEO approval, and relations with management.

Apple

Apple is one of the biggest, richest and most successful companies on the list. It's a very doffer4ent picture when it comesImage Source/ The New York Timesto being an Apple employee. There are very high reports of stress which can lead to numerous health conditions.

Papa John's

Papa John's is the worldwide pizza company originating in the U.S. The Center for Popular Democracy ranked it as secondImage Source/ leftfootworkingconditionsworst company in America. Most of this reasoning comes from the fact that they do not pay compensation well.

Footlocker

Footlocker, the famous U.S trainer retailer ranks amongst the worst U.S companies to work for. They score particularly badImage Source/ YouTubeon paying compensation and benefits. Also, they have a very poor ranking of senior management with employees feeling incompetent.

Office Depot

Office Depot is a huge stationary retailer. One of the biggest in the U.S. But, on Ranker Office Depot actually scores as theImage Source/ Davidsandcoworst retail company in America to work for. On one hand, the atmosphere ranked well for employees, on the other they claimed wages were terrible.

Walgreens

Walgreens also made the list of worst U.S companies to work for because of the fact that they avoid paying overtime. TheyImage Source/ blogspotgo to any length not to pay any extra money. They will even offer promotions in order to avoid paying their employee's overtime rates.

Express Scripts

Express Scripts as a company have come under scrutiny for the long hours expected of their employees who find thatImage Source/ YouTubethey can't have a work life balance. The satisfaction amongst employees was 2.5/5. Employees also feel there is incompetent management.

Xerox

Xerox on this same rating scale scores 2.6, which is ever so slightly higher but low by company standards.Image Source/ employeereviewOne of the main reasons for this is that there is stagnant pay meaning that as living costs rise, wages do not.

Radio Shack

Radio Shack was facing bankruptcy. After making huge cuts, dismissing lots of employees and closing branches theyImage Source/ iSpotare still going. However, employees find that the harsh measures affect them, and they have to work extra to maintain the company.

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern has gone from one of the best ranking U.S companies for employees to one of the worst. This fallImage Source/ godanriverfrom grace happened very fast. Employees are dissatisfied with the huge number of cuts and long hours which leads to bad lifestyle balance.

CSX

Working for the big U.S company CSX comes with a lot of sacrifices by employees. They have to travel far to reach theImage Source/ railincworkplace each day which means spending a lot of time away, making it difficult to work for the company whilst maintain a family.

Regus

Regus has faced bankruptcy and so again they have brought in harsher measures which have affected employees in termsImage Source/ blogspotof their job and pay and also the atmosphere in the workplace. Regus employees have also experienced unhelpful management.

Conifer Health Solutions

In the U.S company Conifer Health Solutions there has found to be a constant turnover of staff. One of the reasonsImage Source/ Flickrwas found that employees found the working atmosphere difficult. As well as this, the workers were given low wages.

Yum! Brands, Inc.

Yum! Brands, Inc. encompasses a range of huge U.S companies. Despite being very wealthy and very successful theyImage Source/ gulfnewsconsistently are a low paying company. Employees struggle on their wages. The company uses minimum wage and cuts costs.

OfficeMax

Office Max received complaints by its employees due to what was referred to as the 'office politics'. A very highImage Source/ Yelppercentage of the employees at OfficeMax said that they would not recommend their place of work to a friend which highlighted the negativity.

Dollar General

Employees at Dollar General have a very frequent compliant, which is that there is very low pay which does not equateImage Source/ WSAVwith the bad hours that the workers have to do and put up with. The overall satisfaction is very poor as is the trust in management.

Dyson

Dyson is one of the richest companies, going from success to success and accumulating in wealth. But the inequalityImage Source/ The New York Timesbetween the highest employees and those working at the bottom is huge. And less than 20% of the employees approve of the CEO.

GameStop

GameStop is a huge U.S gaming company which has gained in popularity and success as gaming has become ever moreImage Source/ nytimespopular. But, for employees' things aren't so good. They only receive a few working hours at low pay - it is hard to make a living.

Intertek

U.S company Intertek have been reported by employees to pay their employees bad salaries when similar positions inImage Source/ energytekdifferent companies pay way more. They also have internal structure problems such as the employees not feeling supported.

Gannet

Gannet has faced increasing deterioration as a company, who have had to make many changes and huge cutbacks in orderImage Source/ bloombergto survive. But the people who have felt this very hard are the employees at the bottom of the ladder who suffer for the cuts.

ResCare

ResCare, or as it has recently been rebranded, BrightSpring Health Services is not actually considered a good companyImage Source/ procareto work for, despite the good that the company do. It definitely does not rank as the worst, but they only receive satisfactory for working conditions.

The WORST Workplace Horror Stories You Need To Hear: Being Yelled At On Your First Day

"A coworker screamed at me for leaving food to rot in the shared fridge. It was my first day there, and I hadn't even unpacked
image source: reddit.com
my belongings yet." It's probably best this was their very first day so they knew they probably needed to look for a new workplace ASAP.

Getting Laxative Revenge For Your Food Being Stolen

"One of my coworkers was constantly stealing my food. I couldn't figure out who was doing it... I put laxatives in my
image source: reddit.com
food for a few days. After the dude who stole it spent two hours in the bathroom one day, he came out demanding to speak with me."

Having Something Thrown At You Through A Drive-Thru

"I had someone throw a drink at me through the drive-thru window, which is an unwise thing to do to someone standing
image source: reddit.com
in front of a shelf of other drinks waiting for the customers behind you." Ah, revenge is best served cold through a drive-thru window.

Defecating In Toolboxes

"My grandfather was a contractor. For years on his job sites, workers would find human t*rds in their toolboxes, atop
image source: reddit.com
piles of boards, everywhere. No one knew who was doing it, but whispers circulated about the Phantom Sh*tter. You guessed it: My grandpa."

Leaving Questionable Things In The Call Center Toilet...

"Someone came to me to complain there there was an inordinate amount of p*bic hair on the top of the urinal in the men's room...
image source: reddit.com
I called all the male staff into the board room... I made sure to make eye contact with the main suspect... It never happened again."

Purposefully Slipping On A Banana Peel To Prove A Point

"A coworker attempted to prove that you couldn't actually hurt yourself slipping on a banana peel by stepping on one.
image source: reddit.com
To no one's surprise, he slipped and hurt himself. I refused to write it up as an incident, it was too stupid."

When You Cut The IKEA Instruction Manual In Half

"I had a customer complain that they accidentally ripped the instruction manual in half when they were cutting open the box...
image source: reddit.com
I will always find it so funny that this lady thinks accidentally cutting an instruction manual in half inhibited her from assembling furniture."

Listing A Bullet As Personal Effects

"I work in the funeral industry... Today I had to look for a bullet in a body bag, because the list of personal effects included 'ammunition x 1'...
image source: reddit.com
The girl who answered the phone came back to say, 'Yep, it's here, we always take and keep the bullets!' My job is weird as hell, ya'll."

Praising Your Dog For Making A Grocery Store Mess

"A customer's dog took a sh*t at the front of the store... He just stood there while I cleaned it. Suddenly, the dog took a second sh*t...
image source: reddit.com
As I'm cleaning the second sh*t, the dog then puked. As I'm cleaning that, the owner pats the dog on the head, saying 'Good boy'."

Putting Tie-Dye Ink In Your Yogurt For Social Media

"One of the influencers pulled the tie-dye ink out of the T-shirt kit and used it to tie-dye her yogurt bowl, took a video of herself
image source: reddit.com
eating it, then shared the video with her followers who ultimately alerted her that you can't eat tie-dye ink."

Only Having Blind People As Witnesses!

"I worked in HR for a nonprofit that hired people who are legally blind... One day, two employees got into a fight. One was
image source: reddit.com
partially sighted, and the other was totally blind, swinging his cane. I had four witnesses to the altercation... they were all totally blind."

Robbing A Gas Station With Finger Guns

"We had a guy who robbed our gas station for, like, a month with finger guns... That's right, finger guns. Like, when you hold
image source: reddit.com
your thumb and index fingers up like a fake gun. Everyone knew it was a finger gun, but we have to comply... so..."

Men Sneaking Into A Tween Girls Clothing Store

"A group of four grown men snuck into the fitting room of the place I worked to smoke... Justice was a clothing store for tween
image source: reddit.com
(or 8-12 year old) girls. They didn't sell anything for men at all... Moreover, the tops of their heads were visible over the child-sized stall curtains."

Expecting Gym Staff To Do Something About Wild Birds

"One time, while working front desk at a gym, a woman complained that there were too many geese outside. She said that
image source: reddit.com
they should've flown south by then and we needed to do something about it." In her defence, you wouldn't want to walk through the car park.

The Woman Disrupting A Film Set

"We were shooting in a pretty upper-class neighborhood, and the woman living beside the house we were filming in decided
image source: reddit.com
that she hadn't been paid enough... she started playing opera music... So, we got some 10k lights and pointed them directly into her windows."

Who Should Clean The Poop?

"I had to take part in an investigation about a poo on the floor in a community hospital... The nurse said they were too
image source: reddit.com
busy and couldn't clean it up... The cleaner said they couldn't touch it, because it's biological waste... The healthcare assistant said they couldn't do it..."

Having Your Manager Find You On Grindr

"One of my employees was propositioned in quite an explicit way by the general manager... on Grindr. I overheard him telling
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another employee... and he was not offended at all, but it became a whole thing. The GM did not recognize him at all..."

Blocking The Sign Language Interpreter On Purpose

"I was working as a sign language interpreter in a classroom setting, and the teacher's aide decided to stand between me
image source: reddit.com
and the student, blocking their view. I asked her to move, and she told me that she was doing it on purpose..."

Massaging A Drunk Woman At Your Spa

"I had to massage a woman who was drunk at the spa... Long story short, she peed on the table. (I didn't realize until she left
image source: reddit.com
and was cleaning the room.) I had to knock on the door several times when we were done, because she kept falling asleep..."

When You're So Scared Of Eating Local Food...

"I was a tour guide... One of my passengers was so scared of eating local food that she brought a small duffel bag of protein bars
image source: reddit.com
and only ate those. By day four, she was complaining of stomach cramps and her f*rts were so bad... I had to help her find a McDonalds..."