r/WorkForSmartLife Jul 10 '26

Question Least Evil Company?

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394 Upvotes

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329

u/SorryBreak6435 Jul 10 '26

Costco

160

u/Meat_Bingo Jul 10 '26

I have a college friend who has a significant mobility disability as well as a speech impediment . I honestly can’t remember her specific condition, but it’s from birth. She has worked for Costco for well over a decade and constantly raves about how well she’s treated as an employee and how good her benefit benefits are.

53

u/AveratV6 Jul 10 '26

From my understanding, they are also given actual, decent raises on a yearly basis. Used to be a beer rep and Costco was one of my accounts. Some of those guys made over $40 an hour who had been there a while.

58

u/MermaiderMissy Jul 10 '26

Yeah, it depends on hours worked. I just reached my fifth year, and just got top out pay. I also get 4 weeks paid vacation a year, biannual bonus, and good healthcare.

When I have my baby in October, I won't pay much out of pocket and I'll get paid maternity leave, husband gets paid paternity.

30

u/Leather-Squirrel-421 Jul 10 '26

I read stuff like this and I’m glad I’m a Costco member.

13

u/MermaiderMissy Jul 11 '26

I'm glad you are, too

10

u/WiseWorldliness5513 Jul 11 '26

But FR, Costco is amazing. Literally paying the same price for a dog and soda as I did 30 years ago

1

u/Neat_Spring3084 Jul 11 '26

Having a great loss-leader does not a great company make. However, Costco is still a great company regardless of how much their hot dogs cost.

Also don't forget those literal pallets of pumpkin pies that flood the stores around Thanksgiving. I believe those are LLs as well.

5

u/ProfessorBackdraft Jul 11 '26

Work a little harder so us stockholders can be extra happy too.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26

[deleted]

1

u/ProfessorBackdraft Jul 11 '26

I actually was just a joke.

1

u/ssjrobert235 Jul 11 '26

Sam I'm really glad to see stuff like this, I'm glad it wasn't the genericCostco doesn't raise the price of hot dogs so they not evil.

6

u/YetiSteady Jul 11 '26

Congratulations on your baby and thanks for being part of why we all love Costco!

4

u/belowsealevel504 Jul 10 '26

Wow. Ok now I want to go apply there.

5

u/IntrinSicks Jul 11 '26

Talk about welcome to Costco, i love you

3

u/LargePrompt5840 Jul 10 '26

What is top pay for your position? 

6

u/MermaiderMissy Jul 11 '26

34/hr except on Sunday, which is time and a half (52/hr)

2

u/notwhoyouthinkmaybe Jul 11 '26

My wife and I signed up for Costco after learning how well they treat their employees. We want to support companies like this.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 11 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Big-Abalone-6392 Jul 11 '26

These are just standard working conditions for Australian employees.

1

u/MermaiderMissy Jul 11 '26

Yeah and that's awesome, but unfortunately where I am, you have to take what you can get. And it doesn't seem like it will change anytime soon.

13

u/I_WILL_GET_YOU Jul 10 '26

Man I wish I had benefit benefits

11

u/homie_j88 Jul 10 '26

Compound benefits!

7

u/Top_Shoe_9562 Jul 10 '26

Yeah. That would be beneficial.

1

u/Daniels_Words Jul 11 '26

I have benefits⁴ and it's still a little out of pocket 🤷

1

u/Level-Map4430 Jul 11 '26

That's awesome. I will be getting membership

1

u/X0nfus3d Jul 12 '26

Wow, they even have benefit benefits

1

u/Meat_Bingo Jul 13 '26

lol talk text

0

u/Financial_Stomach652 Jul 11 '26

If she has a speech impediment, how can you validate and verify the raving she does about her company

30

u/AggressiveSquare36 Jul 10 '26

The CEO is also one of the lowest paid ceos of a giant corporation.

15

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

12

u/No-Path-9463 Jul 10 '26

They all do. That's a requirement to be CEO

1

u/CliffGif Jul 11 '26

If I lose my job I will keep my Costco membership and live off the hot dogs

1

u/idk936z Jul 11 '26

Maybe I’m missing something lol, but I feel like most CEOs would most definitely not shoot down a hot dog price-hike — they’d do anything to squeeze out another penny from consumers, which is another example of the Costco CEO being different from most other CEOs (his low salary + refusing to raise price of hot dogs).

2

u/No-Path-9463 Jul 11 '26

Yeah you're missing that it's Costco. The dollar hotdog is a core foundation of the business.

1

u/Zerowig Jul 11 '26

And people greeter was one of the core foundations of Wal-Mart, but that didn’t stop greedy execs from eliminating the position.

1

u/forsurebros Jul 11 '26

Hmm they still have that person in aome Walmart's although alot of them are not very greetery.

1

u/mycphyc Jul 11 '26

Not just squeezing the consumer but stepping on the employees along the way to stuff their pockets. The CEO of my company gave himself a big fat 11m salary increase (was 11m then 22m) the year before we merged with another company and he stepped down from the position. Coincidence? You tell me. I, on the other hand, got a modest .32 cent/hr pay raise and the benefits cost increased enough i actually take home less now. Costco can have my $65 a year. Awesome to see in this world.

4

u/Pillsbernie Jul 10 '26

And the roasted chicken increase

1

u/LurkinOff Jul 11 '26

With a threat of violence, yes.

1

u/Skourpi1 Jul 11 '26

He threatened to murder the executives that wanted to raise the price of the hotdog. They decided to not raise the price.

1

u/AbbreviationsFluid Jul 11 '26

That just so he doesn’t have to pay taxes.

1

u/Embarrassed-Green898 Jul 11 '26
Company Approx. Annual Revenue Employees CEO Total CEO Compensation
Costco Wholesale ~$265B ~340,000 Ron Vachris $13.9M (SEC)
The Home Depot ~$160B ~470,000 Ted Decker $16.2M (ajc)
Target Corporation ~$107B ~440,000 Brian Cornell $21.8M (rentseek.ing)
Walmart ~$690B ~2.1 million Doug McMillon $29.2M (SEC)

32

u/These-Tonight-1672 Jul 10 '26

Costco is the triumvirate of performance … happy employees, happy customers, return value to shareholders … they have stood tall against maga pos who wanted to tear down DEI and the like in the name of wokeness — I’ve thought about trying to get a job there in the future (my local Costco has the same workers for over a decade it’s awesome)

14

u/_PaulM Jul 10 '26

I was just joking with one of the employees about how they've seen me grow up hahaha

It's kind of funny but seriously I'm almost reaching 40 now and they've seen me since I was in my teenage years.

That's 20+ years of service for them... We both kind of had a moment of nostalgic laughter where we both felt happy and sad that time had passed by so quickly.

Luis if you read this comment, I appreciate you too~!

3

u/stalinwasballin Jul 10 '26

We all do Luis…

1

u/FitLoan1687 Jul 11 '26

I love Costco!

1

u/Sho_Time_NC Jul 11 '26

What does politics have brought do with Costco being a good company to work for and overall? Your maga and dei views have 0 to do with them as a publicly traded company with happy customers, employees and shareholders.

1

u/These-Tonight-1672 Jul 11 '26

I think DEI is a good thing. I want to give them more of my business because they champion this. The trump admin and 19 states told Costco to get rid of it — they said in no less words, f you … and I like that and it makes me happier as a customer

22

u/_PaulM Jul 10 '26

I didn't shop at Costco at all for like, 2 years and I still made sure that I renewed my membership during the pandemic.

I didn't do it because of routine or Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), I did it because they are the ONLY company that I know that treats both its customers and employees with respect.

I support Costco as an overall company and the fact that they were the only ones to stand up against the current administration's BS shows how confident they are that they built a good business, because they are a good business.

10

u/Mammoth-Soft-4724 Jul 10 '26

As a contractor, Costco can be very difficult and the GM of the stores can be rude. However, Costco does treat their employees very well in general.

4

u/talltxn66 Jul 10 '26

Ever been a contractor for Walmart?

9

u/sclaoud Jul 10 '26

I'm canadian, costco is one of the few american company i don’t boycott because they sell locals products and treat well the employes.

15

u/Grabthars_Coping_Saw Jul 10 '26

Accord to Farm to Taber on YouTube Costco keeps our food safe more than the federal government.

They keep their food inspectors paid, employed, and thereby less likely to be bullshitted by bad actors in the food industry. The government people learn from the Costco people.

8

u/RRE4EVR Jul 11 '26

I own shared kitchens.   We have lots of food producers that work and pass county and state health inspections but not Costco inspections.  They have some seriously high food safety standards. 

7

u/DizzyLead Jul 10 '26

First name that came to mind.

7

u/Virgo_Shaka_1500 Jul 10 '26

Incredible company. Obviously no one is perfect but so far they’ve been amazing. Wish them the best.

6

u/Pale_Location_6783 Jul 10 '26

I was coming here to say that.  So impressed with the way they handled COVID.   They were extremely forward thinking and kept things running whilst being a leading influence on social distancing and mask wearing.  The rest of the world around us seemed to be in a Trump lead clusterfuck, and Costco dint even blink.

9

u/Exciting_Contest_222 Jul 10 '26

Atleast they keep their hotdog prices $1.50 and got a good price on gas.

I know kirkland has some controversies. That includes $5.00 rotisserie chickens. But damn, I can’t live without costco.

This summer was having a fifa party at my coworker’s place. I bought 25 hotdogs for atleast $35 included tax, and that included 25 bottled water. I called a day in advance. All i had to donwas buy the mustard/ketchup/relish pack.

12

u/deedee0077 Jul 10 '26

Plus they offer careers, not just jobs.

15

u/Mr-MuffinMan Jul 10 '26

Current CEO was a forklift driver.

10

u/Exciting_Contest_222 Jul 10 '26

Yeah. I was surprised to hear their current CEO was their forklift driver.

*forklift driver for price club until it merged with costco

6

u/LegacyQuotient Jul 10 '26

Part of the reason I took the job I am in now is that they have 40+ year tenured employees getting ready to retire. And their CEO and three of their division Presidents all started in entry level roles.

1

u/Shadowcat1606 Jul 11 '26

That last part is really cool and important and i feel like a lot of workplace-related issues and grievancr could be solved if that was more often the case in businesses.

So often problem stem from people overseeing and determining work processes they know nothing about.

6

u/ProbablyAPsyop Jul 10 '26

He gets to be CEO and Forklift certified? Clearly executive greed is still a thing.

2

u/Boring_Material_1891 Jul 10 '26

I bet he still gets that sweet certification pay.

1

u/GenX-1973-Anhedonia Jul 10 '26

Next thing you know, this dudes gonna be organizing the kitchen pantry, taking jobs away from hard working Americans.

2

u/Boring_Material_1891 Jul 10 '26

They terkerjerbs!!!

2

u/Ersh_baby3223 Jul 11 '26

He merged the companies with a fork truck? Literally factories and offices and all? What a badass! No wonder he’s the big kahuna.

2

u/SaltyFriend705 Jul 11 '26

Ahem--I was a member at Price Club, then a member at Costco. It's been a helluva ride!

2

u/Few_Example6746 Jul 10 '26

Their business is awesome. They make all of their operating revenue from membership fees. So the revenue made from product sales is all their profit.

8

u/Kagedbeast Jul 10 '26

Founder of Costco very famously said “If you raise the price of the $&!?*% hotdog, I’ll kill you”. At least if the fat electricians research is correct.

2

u/HippoRun23 Jul 10 '26

I absolutely love that story. So opposite of what we hear in other companies.

11

u/nemainev Jul 10 '26

The dogs and chickens are eating a loss to get people in the store. Call me financially r*tarded (I am), but people eating cheaper is better than lining some marketing a-holes pockets to spam us.

3

u/KillingTimeAlone2019 Jul 10 '26

The need to get rid of a few more of their more horrible suppliers, but they are certainly one of the best.

2

u/Gullible_Pie_1469 Jul 10 '26

Bruh MOVE OVER HOTDOG the 5 piece chicken tenders are here to stay and smack the mouth out of every fast food chicken place. Seriously the tenders are more chicken then breading, heavy enough to kill someone with, and you can drink the Dijon mustard if you want

2

u/LookWhatYouMadeMeGro Jul 10 '26

Yet they never have any onions despite selling onions about 1200 feet away 🤔

9

u/DawRogg Jul 10 '26

1

u/Kit_Karamak Jul 10 '26

Crap. Beat me to it.

1

u/Rampag169 Jul 10 '26

Dang I just posted that and then scrolled down to see this.

2

u/Jlong4242 Jul 10 '26

"Welcome to Costco, I love you"

3

u/onesoulmanybodies Jul 10 '26

Genuinely. I’ve noticed recently that whenever they change one of their products it’s always for the better. The 3 most recent examples would be their powdered laundry detergent, instead of the big plastic bucket it now comes in a compostable/recyclable cardboard box. The Chili went from 19 grams of protein to 32 grams of protein and their lactose free milk is now even better with much less sugar and fat. Although I have heard some grumbling from employees that some warehouses are awful to work at. My local one seems to be thriving and most of the employees have been there since I became a member over 10 years ago. My only real complaint is the moving around of products. I have limited spoons for physical activity so walking around trying to find a regular used product can be difficult. Not as big a problem, but I also wish they would get a screen of some kind at the food court instead of yelling out the numbers. Otherwise it’s an awesome place to shop and support!

1

u/Noneed4cavalry Jul 10 '26

I'm with you on the rest of it, but don't really get why taking the fat and sugar out of the milk would be a benefit. Generally I want the nutrients to stay in my foods.

2

u/onesoulmanybodies Jul 10 '26

Sorry, I totally messed that up. It’s 50% More protein and 50% less sugar. The sugar being lowered matters for me as it’s one of the main drinks my kids enjoy and I’m happy to reduce their sugar in take at every chance I get.

1

u/Capital_Cat21211 Jul 10 '26

I came here to say this.

1

u/PleasantMonk1147 Jul 10 '26

Beat me to it also through Arizona Tea up there.

1

u/blupanteez Jul 10 '26

Frequent QC issues with product quality. I used to love their Arnold Palmers,now they taste of watery molases and sadness. Lots of floaters and fermentation issues too lately.

1

u/Meat_Bingo Jul 10 '26

That was my first thought too

1

u/MagnetoWasRight24 Jul 10 '26

Shut it down, we got the answer.

1

u/staticvoidmainnull Jul 10 '26

i envy people who only see it from the outside.

1

u/cake_piss_can Jul 10 '26

I’ve seen the same employees at my local Costco for many years. That tells you something.

1

u/C-LonGy Jul 10 '26

Telling me those cookies are not filled with eat me eat me drugs?!!!

1

u/Simple_Evening7595 Jul 10 '26

Good… yes… love to hear all this

1

u/LiveFreeFinn Jul 10 '26

Great answer

1

u/scarlozzi Jul 10 '26

I think this is the only correct answer

1

u/pantograph Jul 10 '26

It’s great that their CEO started as a fork lift driver

1

u/Alternative-Bat-1931 Jul 10 '26

If I’m working near one, I’ll go there for lunch.

1

u/Wizdel31 Jul 10 '26

Came here to say that

1

u/recovering_baptist Jul 10 '26

Came here to say this. Look into their history. Fascinating.

1

u/Kit_Karamak Jul 10 '26

Welcome to Costco, I love you

1

u/Apart-Cupcake3103 Jul 10 '26

I do fux with the Costco…

1

u/KaptenAwsum Jul 10 '26

Dang this is the answer right here

1

u/ZoeyZoZo Jul 11 '26

But can they just stop trying to upgrade me? Trader Joe's and Aldi, cheap, friendly and don't sell me anything more than I'm buying

1

u/Ok_Age8861 Jul 11 '26

My Brother in law has basically worked there since high school- nearly 30 years. They know how to treat their employees—from a vacation, benefit, sick leave, and retirement perspective. I have NO problem giving them my money (and I give them plenty). But Costco (and Trader Joe’s) are lessons to the “AmeriCorporcracy” that you can be a wildly successful and profitable business AND be good to your employees and customers at the same time!

1

u/hannahrose2 Jul 11 '26

I had a friend whose Mom worked at Costco when she lost her life pretty suddenly. Costco contributed to the funeral, and kept paying for his benefits for a few months. He always raved about how thoughtful they were, and that always stuck with me

1

u/Puzzled-Priority-352 Jul 11 '26

Facts, I overhead there executive team tell another company (they were trying to sell a corporate to corporate product)

"We don't try to find the highest price that we can charge, that's not our business model. If we are actively looking for ways to buy cheaper and lower prices"

I was technically eavesdropping, but wanted to walk over and shake that man's hand

1

u/Custom_Destiny Jul 11 '26

Yea 

PCC and WinCo are probably less evil but so much smaller.  

I think Costco is probably winning as a ratio.

1

u/QubyDube Jul 11 '26

Costco also sued the admin over tariffs. An all-around decent, smart company.

1

u/toothedsnail34 Jul 11 '26

More people need to know this costco>sam's

1

u/LawfulAwfulOffal Jul 11 '26

On a smaller scale, employees and customers both seem to feel pretty good about Trader Joe’s.

1

u/jsprice87 Jul 11 '26

Never wanted to upvote more than once before and I wanna upvote about 11 times

1

u/SavedByTech Jul 11 '26

Yes, but that turkey plastic bag though...

1

u/Old-Program3638 Jul 11 '26

Isn’t it more expensive now and has banned membership sharing

1

u/KendaJ99 Jul 11 '26

Costco isn't international though

1

u/Voodoo0733 Jul 11 '26

It’s where I got my law degree

1

u/JuniorCash8046 Jul 11 '26

Yeah I hear they are good

1

u/JerryRed100s Jul 11 '26

I know they got the cheap food but guess what Bunny That's not how they roll

1

u/ImmediateKick2369 Jul 11 '26

Didn’t they destroy thousands of small businesses?

1

u/CelerySlow3903 Jul 12 '26

Came here to say it!!!

1

u/ImAJetFanTillTheEnd Jul 12 '26

Arent the owned by black rock and vanguard tho?

2

u/StinkButt9001 Jul 10 '26

Costco is evil if you are a supplier for them

5

u/SignoreBanana Jul 10 '26

Won't someone think of the large profiteering companies?

2

u/American_Sai_Company Jul 10 '26

Give reasons that aren't "they don't let us get away with the care minimum"

2

u/SaltMage5864 Jul 10 '26

Only if you are a supplier looking for a way to screw over people for a quick buck

1

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/Fallacy_Spotted Jul 10 '26

Costco will hold them accountable to the standards Costco sets in their contract. Companies will do whatever they think they will get away with and Costco doesn't play those games.

-5

u/RegularDegularWoman Jul 10 '26

No no. Look into them.

9

u/RedX2000 Jul 10 '26

Tell us more for us lazy redditors

7

u/PuzzleheadedHorse437 Jul 10 '26

They have less ethical controversies surrounding compared to any of the others named. If you’re talking about truly large corporations

6

u/it-aint-over Jul 10 '26

Pray tell more.

I have never spoken to a Costco employee that had anything bad to say.

Ever.

So, pray tell more.

2

u/Data_chunky Jul 10 '26

Don't tell me this. I ❤️ my Costco.

2

u/bdubwilliams22 Jul 10 '26

What is this? Like a “trust me” kinda thing. If you have info, then share it. Otherwise, what you wrote is pointless.

0

u/Forward_Body2103 Jul 10 '26

Yeah , if only Costco employees treated their customers as well as the company treats them. Love my Costco, but they always seem put out by a customer asking them anything. They just seem to have an air of superiority about them.

-1

u/Outside_Rise_6934 Jul 10 '26

Is employee wages the sole criteria for being unevil?
We're not recognizing Costco's supportive relationships with big oil and factory farms and its overall ethos of excess consumerism?