As a retail industry expert and consumer analyst, I‘ve studied the inner workings of countless companies to understand what makes a good workplace. In this in-depth guide, I‘ll share my professional assessment of what it‘s really like to work at Hobby Lobby, one of the largest arts and crafts retailers in the U.S.
By the end of this article, you‘ll have a clear picture of Hobby Lobby‘s strengths and weaknesses as an employer across key dimensions like pay, benefits, work environment, corporate values, and more. Whether you‘re considering applying for a job or just curious about the company culture, this guide will give you an insider‘s look based on extensive research and analysis.
Hobby Lobby at a Glance
Before we dive in, let‘s set the stage with some quick facts about Hobby Lobby as a company:
- Founded in 1972 in Oklahoma City
- Operates 900+ stores across 46 states
- Employs 43,000+ people
- Generates $5 billion+ in annual revenue
- Owned by the Green family, known for their evangelical Christian faith
- Stores are closed on Sundays for religious reasons
As you can see, Hobby Lobby is a major player in the retail industry with a vast national presence. The company‘s Christian values and Sunday closures set it apart from some competitors. Keep this context in mind as we explore the employee experience.
Hobby Lobby Pay and Benefits: How Do They Stack Up?
When evaluating any employer, pay and benefits are often the first factors to consider. Based on extensive research of job listings, company reports, and employee reviews, here‘s how Hobby Lobby‘s compensation stacks up:
Pay
Hobby Lobby‘s pay varies by role and location, but here are some average hourly wages based on data from Payscale:
| Position | Average Hourly Pay |
|---|---|
| Cashier/Sales | $10.28 |
| Retail Sales Associate | $11.76 |
| Inventory Clerk | $12.38 |
| Department Manager | $15.29 |
| Assistant Store Manager | $19.38 |
| Store Manager | $25.87 |
For full-time employees, Hobby Lobby recently raised its starting wage to $17/hour, which is more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. Part-time employees start at $11/hour.
However, it‘s important to note that wages at Hobby Lobby still fall below the median hourly earnings for retail salespersons ($13.02) and cashiers ($11.37) in the U.S. And compared to major competitors, Hobby Lobby‘s pay is just average:
| Retailer | Avg. Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Hobby Lobby | $11.33 |
| Michaels | $11.23 |
| JOANN Fabrics | $10.77 |
| Walmart | $14.76 |
| Target | $15.00 |
Data based on Payscale and company reports
So while Hobby Lobby‘s starting wage is competitive, especially for entry-level positions, it doesn‘t necessarily stand out from other retailers. Employees give mixed reviews on pay, with some feeling it‘s fair and others wishing it were higher for the workload.
Benefits
In terms of benefits, Hobby Lobby offers fairly standard options for a large retailer:
- Health, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Life insurance and AD&D
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick days)
- Employee discount
- Closed Sundays
Full-time workers are eligible for benefits after 60 days of employment, while part-time employees can receive more limited benefits after one year. However, Hobby Lobby‘s health insurance plans notably exclude certain contraceptives due to the owners‘ religious beliefs.
Based on employee reviews, opinions on Hobby Lobby‘s benefits are mixed to positive. "The best thing about working at Hobby Lobby in my experience has been the benefits," wrote one full-time employee on Indeed. "I had health, vision and dental. They also gave us paid holidays and great vacation time."
However, some part-time employees feel left out: "Only full time employees get benefits, and it‘s very hard to get full time hours," wrote a former cashier.
Overall, Hobby Lobby‘s pay and benefits are decent but don‘t particularly wow compared to other major retailers. But compensation is just one piece of the puzzle. Next, let‘s look at what it‘s like to actually work there day-to-day.
Inside the Hobby Lobby Work Environment
To really understand if Hobby Lobby is a good employer, we need to go beyond pay and benefits and examine the daily realities of working there. Based on hundreds of employee reviews on Glassdoor, Indeed, and other job sites, here‘s what I discovered:
Fast-Paced and Often Stressful
One of the most common themes in Hobby Lobby employee reviews is that the work environment is fast-paced, busy, and at times quite stressful, especially during peak seasons and holidays.
"Working at Hobby Lobby was always a high stress job especially if working as a cashier," wrote a former employee on Glassdoor. "Lines can get long and some customers can be hateful…The biggest downfall was working under pressure and feeling rushed by management to get the long lines down quicker."
Many employees also say the physical nature of the job, which involves standing, walking, and lifting, can be tiring. "Be ready to be on your feet all day," advised a sales associate. "The work can be rewarding but it‘s not for the weak. On truck days you will do a lot of lifting, climbing ladders, and walking."
Uneven Work-Life Balance
Another common refrain among Hobby Lobby employees is the lack of work-life balance and scheduling flexibility. Many say they are expected to have open availability to work long shifts, holidays, and weekends, often with little notice.
"Hobby Lobby does not care about your work/home balance. You are there to make them money," wrote a department manager. "I was often scheduled 10-12 hour shifts five days a week during the busier months…Your schedule will fluctuate weekly and you won‘t know your days off sometimes until a day or two before the new schedule comes out."
However, some employees appreciate having a consistent day off on Sundays due to the company‘s religious policies. "You always get Sunday off which is pretty great to get that guaranteed time with family," said a former employee.
Hit-or-Miss Management
The quality of the management team seems to be one of the most important factors in Hobby Lobby employees‘ job satisfaction. Those who report positive experiences often cite supportive, fair, and communicative managers.
"I greatly enjoyed my time with the company and a major factor in that was the management staff," wrote a former employee on Indeed. "They were always easy to talk to and understanding. They valued their employees and always aimed to take care of us."
But a significant number of reviewers describe the opposite – disorganized, unhelpful, and even hostile management. "The management was awful," wrote one former cashier. "Never willing to help, always talking down on you…They expect you to do a lot of work for little pay and little respect in return."
Many employees also feel that Hobby Lobby‘s focus on sales and metrics creates a stressful environment where management is constantly pushing them to work faster and sell more. Some say this pressure leads to a high turnover rate.
Friendly Coworkers, Challenging Customers
When it comes to daily interactions with coworkers and customers, Hobby Lobby employees express a mix of positive and negative experiences. On the plus side, many reviewers describe their fellow employees as friendly, helpful, and team-oriented.
"The environment between coworkers is a very family oriented and welcoming environment," wrote a sales associate. "Everyone is so nice and helpful!"
However, difficult customers seem to be a common challenge of the job. Numerous employees report dealing with rude, impatient, and demanding shoppers on a regular basis. "The customers were the hardest part for me," wrote a former employee. "People can be very inconsiderate and just downright hateful."
Opportunities for Advancement
Lastly, let‘s examine what kind of career opportunities Hobby Lobby offers. According to reviewers, advancement potential seems to be fairly limited, especially for part-time employees. Many say it‘s difficult to move up to full-time or management without relocating.
"There is little to no room for advancement in the company," wrote a former department head on Indeed. "You can hopefully become full time after they work you to death, but that would be the only type of ‘promotion‘ you can hope for."
However, some employees have had more positive experiences with promotions and professional development. "I was able to move up quickly," wrote an assistant manager. "If you work hard you will get recognized."
Hobby Lobby does seem to prefer to hire and promote from within – in fact, the company‘s co-founder David Green began as a store manager. But based on employee reviews, climbing the ladder isn‘t always easy or clear-cut.
Hobby Lobby Corporate Culture and Values
Finally, to fully assess what it‘s like to work at Hobby Lobby, we need to understand the company‘s culture and values. Hobby Lobby is outspoken about its identity as a Christian company, which influences everything from store hours to employee benefits.
"Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles," is Hobby Lobby‘s stated purpose. Founder David Green has said, "We believe that it is by God‘s grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured."
This religious culture is apparent to employees in the company‘s policies and practices, such as being closed on Sundays, playing Christian music in stores, and not offering certain contraceptives in health plans. Many reviewers say managers openly discuss their faith and expect employees to participate in religious activities like prayer.
For some employees, Hobby Lobby‘s Christian culture creates a positive and moral work environment. "I LOVE that they play christian music and are closed on Sundays so that we can worship," wrote one sales associate on Glassdoor.
However, others feel uncomfortable with the overt religiosity and say it can create an exclusionary environment for those who don‘t share the same beliefs. "If you can‘t tell the managers how super excited you are about God on a regular basis, you will probably not feel comfortable working here," wrote a former employee.
Hobby Lobby‘s lawsuits and Supreme Court case challenging the Affordable Care Act‘s contraceptive mandate have also made the company‘s conservative politics a source of internal controversy. "The company is extremely republican and conservative and not afraid to let it be known," wrote an assistant manager.
Regardless of your personal views, it‘s clear that Hobby Lobby‘s religious identity is deeply intertwined with its corporate culture. Employees should be aware of and comfortable with working in a faith-based environment.
Conclusion: Is Hobby Lobby a Good Place to Work?
After thorough research and analysis, I‘ve found that like most retail employers, Hobby Lobby has both strengths and drawbacks as a workplace. On the plus side, the company offers competitive starting pay, decent benefits, and a friendly team environment. Many employees enjoy having consistent Sundays off and find the company‘s Christian values create a positive culture.
However, significant downsides include a stressful and fast-paced work environment, lack of scheduling flexibility, inconsistent management, difficult customers, and limited advancement opportunities. Hobby Lobby‘s conservative politics and overt religiosity can also be off-putting to some employees.
Compared to competitors, Hobby Lobby‘s compensation and employee satisfaction fall somewhere in the middle of the pack. While the company beats retailers like JOANN and Michaels on some measures, it lags behind heavy-hitters like Walmart and Target on pay and benefits.
Ultimately, whether Hobby Lobby is a good place to work depends on your individual preferences, skills, and beliefs. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, don‘t mind working weekends and holidays, and align with the company‘s Christian ethos, it could be a great fit. But if you prioritize work-life balance, clear growth opportunities, and a more diverse culture, you may want to consider other retail employers.
The key is to carefully weigh the pros and cons based on your own needs and do your research on the specific role and store location. Hopefully this in-depth guide has given you a clearer picture of the day-to-day realities of working at Hobby Lobby. As a retail expert, my goal is to empower job seekers with the information they need to make the best career decisions for their unique situations.
