Went public. Went downhill - Anonymous employee The Container Store Employee Review

1.0
Aug 28, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Most coworkers are an awesome and intelligent group. ————— Cafe subsidized with healthy foods.

Cons

Benefits are not good. No 401k for 11 months after employment. There has also not been a match for the last 2 years. ————— We have also been without raises for the past 2 years. They have finally reinstated raises with a “max” of 2%. I say max because many people have received less. I have max in quotes because let’s look at Melissa’s (CEO) compensation. During this wage freeze and layoffs (will talk about this next) she has received the following wage: 2015 - $637,295 2016 - $2,113,515 No raises right? All of the executives got raises. ————— The layoffs were handled poorly. They sent a company wide email announcing the layoffs after the earnings call. We patiently waited at our desk to see if we would be the ones to get walked out. Some of the employees that were laid off had over 10 yrs under their belt. Worse than breaking a relationship via text. ————— Moral is at an all time low because all of the above. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lose a lot of knowledgeable employees in the upcoming year. ————— The culture has changes dramatically since going public. Employees are no longer first, it’s stock holders. We know this happens but the executives are still acting like culture is the same. I’m sure we will drop dramatically in position on the Fortune Too businesses to work for in 2018.

Explore other reviews about The Container Store

5.0
Apr 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Their business, benefits and products are all incredible.

Cons

My position did not allow for a healthy work/life balance. I was never "off".

3.0
Jan 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The Container Store has the most thorough training process of any company I've worked for. The environment was nice, and my coworkers and managers were all great. The employee discount is significant.

Cons

I applied because I was not getting the hours I was promised by my other part-time retail job. During the hiring process, they said I could work as many hours as I wanted, up to 29 hours per week. They did not mention until I was hired and asking for my hours that hours are dependent on how many customers you get to sign up for the rewards program. As a cashier, everyone I checked out who was not a part of the rewards program and did not want to be counted against me. Customers who are already a part of it don't factor in. I could check out 40 people in a shift, only have 5 who weren't part of the program, and only get 2 of them to sign up, and I would be penalized for that with my hours. If you work floor shifts and sign people up on the floor, it's able to boost your score since you don't interact with non-rewards members who don't want to join the system at all, but I was never offered floor shifts. They expected a 60-70% conversion rate, which is not realistic. Most people who want to be part of the program already are, and those who aren't typically aren't willing to even hear your 20-second pitch about it.

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