Big 5 Sporting Goods Employee Reviews for Computer Operator

What do you like about working at Big 5 Sporting Goods?

"The senior manager and the programming manager are GREAT, but it seems that the upper management is SO full of their own power that nobody is interested in trying to deal with them, so these managers are, sadly, virtually ineffective as a result! I liked the freedom I had to my job as I pleased. There was a lot of freedom to interact with your fellow workers, who were, with one exception, great! The benefits were nice, but I didn't need medical and they didn't offer a cash option. I liked the vacation time, but your holidays couldn't be taken on the holidays because it is retail. Big 5 offered products at cost to employees, but had so many strings attached, that you would be lucky to get 2 or 3 items a month that you wanted. The matching funds for the 401k was REALLY nice, but they cut it in half almost right after I started."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"If you have no experience, or education (high school diploma) this is really a good intro job for you, but if you are looking for a career, look somewhere else! I passed on a programming job that would have started at $3/hour more to carve out a career at Big 5. What a huge mistake! There are many unhappy people working at Big 5, and the administrators are very comfortable, nothing is likely to change soon!"

What don't you like about working at Big 5 Sporting Goods?

"The upper administration in Riverside didn't seem to have a lot to do, so they came up with ridiculous rules to, it appeared, look busy. For instance, the support teams worked alone on weekends, and the distribution center was closed, leaving ample parking spaces up close to the building, but we had to park at least 100 yards away in our 'designated spots' (this only lasted a few months, but the purpose was unclear, and only riled people further)! That is only the TIP of the ice burg! Support personnel (store and computer) were always treated like outcasts. They have some managers with little experience, and no education, working over employes who have been there for years, and have degrees! When positions opened up, nobody really wanted them because they did not come with a raise."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Listen to your employees and don't treat them as if they are a problem! They are there to help the company run smoothly, and may have some valuable insight. Don't be afraid of qualified, capable people moving up in the ranks, they will make your job easier, and make you look good! Move your educated, experienced employees into positions they have an interest in. PAY MORE, the salary I made at Big 5 was so low, it DIDN'T EVEN MAKE THE DROP DOWN LIST ON THE CAREER BLISS WEBSITE! Big 5 goes WAY overboard on the 'diversity' thing! Trust me, it is not ALWAYS a strength."