Store Manager - Long Hours, Hard Work, Wasted Time - Store Manager Safeway Employee Review

1.0
15 Sept 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great opportunity to see the real world application of microeconomic theory - see profit and loss and what effects it and how you can make it better. Great job stability - unless you violate one of their ethical guidelines, you effectively can't be fired as a store manager. Pay is very competitive and benefits package is excellent.

Cons

Long hours - 50 hours minimum, 60 hours typical, 80 hours occasionally when things go wrong and/or you don't have employees. Blue collar work despite white collar job description - you WILL check and stock shelves fully 50 percent of your time, and it could be higher than that depending on your staffing situations. 'Backstage' not supportive nor focused on stores, 'help' not available and not helpful - everyone backstage is too busy telecommuting on Fridays to show up at the store, even in the middle of the week, and when they DO show up, they are more focused on documenting your failures than on helping you train and develop your team. Management focused on the wrong things - profits for shareholders instead of better experiences for the customer or higher pay for employees, and it shows when you walk through the front door. We just can't compete with other chains because we don't have the flexibility, nor the 'backstage' support.

Explore other reviews about Safeway

5.0
29 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Got to get your steps in

Cons

Less than capable coworkers and lots of work

1.0
5 Jul 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Nothing at all, only work at Safeway if you're about to be literally homeless

Cons

Genuinely hellish work environment. Management is lazy and absent, customers are the most disrespectful and clueless I have ever encountered. Complete unrealistic labor allocation and expectations. As a PIC, I have to run 9 SCO robots, unlock cases for customers, perform transactions at Customer Service, and answer external phone calls. Customers rightly get frustrated at the complete lack of care by corporate, and take it out on employees.

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